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English 12
Lesson 4 Assignment
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Assignment #1
(5-8 sentence answers for each)
Answer the following questions after reading “The Story of Nil”. Use examples
and/or brief quotations from the text, and draw heavily from personal experience
where indicated, to support your position.
1. Clearly, music plays a life-giving function in the story, whereby Nil blesses others
with his musical talent. Consider an example where you, like Nil, have used a talent
to bring life (enrichment) to others, or else make a connection to the text by referring
to a time when another gifted you with a creative or life-giving act.
2. The Story of Nil is an example of “An Exchange of Gifts,” where an exchange takes
place between people for their mutual benefit. Consider a relationship between any
characters in your Lesson Four readings, commenting on how you view the act as a
mutual enrichment.
3. In Lesson 4 Parts 1 and 2 you were introduced to the elements of setting, point of
view, dialogue, tone, mood and style, and to consider the role they play in short story
development. Comment on how you observed one or two of these elements and
how your experience was enriched.
Assignment #2
(5- 8 sentence answers for each)
Answer the following questions after reading “Pavlova.” Remember to interact
directly with the text to support your answers whenever possible. Once again, if
you get stuck, as with most poetry, begin by paying attention to any contrasts.
1. Which images in the poem are especially vivid to you, and what contrasts and
surprises, if any, do these images provide?
2. What “impressions” are created in the poem about Pavlova? About ballet? About the
speaker? Then, comment on how death is represented by the poet as you make any
connections.
3. Taking note of Pavlova’s life, as portrayed by the poet, surmise something about
Pavlova’s person or character, and then support your insight.
4. Is this poem more humanistic or spiritual as it deals with the question of death?
Refer to the poem’s language, tone and/or devices to support your position. What
thoughts or feelings does the poem leave with you? Are any important insights made
about life; and if so, are you in any way challenged after reading the poem?
Assignment #3
(10-15 sentences)
Consider the following questions and write a response in one or two paragraphs:
What is your opinion of censorship? What view does Chekhov present in “A Work of
Art”? In your opinion, what makes ‘good art’? What view does Chekhov present? What
other issues about artworks and responses to artwork are raised in the story? What,
then, can you conclude about Chekhov’s satire and about the world of art and culture?
Assignment #4
(4-6 sentences)
Write an opening paragraph to an essay, considering culture as a regulating force on
human life. Consider such things as political correctness, or culture being somewhat
sinister, or culture creating a cohesion/identity, or anything you feel strongly about as
you make a personal connection with this force in our lives. This writing experience will
give me some insight into how you organize your writing for an essay topic. Be sure to
highlight your thesis statement.
Advice – If you do not have a worked out approach of your own for writing an expository
essay, consider a simple pattern as follows:
Frame the essay by opening with a quote, observation or insight (offer the context)
Introduce or assert your thesis statement (what you have set out to prove)
Offer how you might argue the point (introduce 2-3 supporting insights you’d use)