Homework

OPTION A ("THE ANTI-HERO’S JOURNEY"): In a few of our readings, the main person or character in a text is not the classic “hero/heroine” that one might expect. What might we expect from a classic “hero”—and how does an “anti-hero” somehow fail to meet those expectations? In what ways can the failure to meet such expectations make a character even more compelling or complex or sympathetic? (Hint: This term is also the title of the last chapter from Fun Home. Or just think of Breaking Bad or House of Cards or Dead Pool...)

“SELF-CREATION”: In her essay on President Obama’s interests in reading, Michiko Kakutani explains, “This notion of self-creation is a deeply American one — a founding principle of this country, and a trope {a well-known theme} addressed by such classic works as The Great Gatsby — and it seems to exert a strong hold on Mr. Obama’s imagination” (3). Consider the term “self-creation.” In what ways are the characters in Gatsby seemingly “self-created,” having little or no allegiance to family, religion, country, region, or other group? In what ways might the opposite also be true—that is, in what ways are characters very self-conscious of matters such as race or class or education or gender?

Again, choose ONE and post a response of at least 300 words by  midnight on FRIDAY, APRIL 23RD.