Paper #2
Viewing literature through a particular “lens” or interpretive frame often serves to provide deeper insight into the literary text. To that end, I am asking that you discuss one of the three short stories we’ve read (Machado’s “The Husband Stitch”, Le Guin’s “The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas”, and Jemisin’s “The Ones Who Stay and Fight”) in relation to one of the framing texts listed below. How does the framing text deepen or shift your understanding of what Machado, Le Guin, or Jemisin are examining in their work?
Possible Pairings:
Utopia: “Post-Utopia: The Long View” by David Konstan. Is Le Guin’s Omelas OR Jemisin’s Um-Helat a utopia? Why or why not? (Only choose one short story to discuss here – EITHER “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” OR “The Ones Who Stay and Fight”.)
Afrofuturism: “Afrofuturism: The World of Black Sci-Fi and Fantasy Culture. Chapter One: Evolution of a Space Cadet” by Ytasha Womack. (pp.3 – 25). Gipson. How is “The Ones Who Stay and Fight” an example of Afrofuturism?
Urban Legends: “Modern Legends and Rumor Theory” by Patrick B. Mullen. How does Machado use urban legends and folklore in her story “The Husband Stitch?”
Instructions:
1) Your essay should open with your thesis, which should be a strong critical argument that goes beyond surface-level observations. You are presenting an ARGUMENT that answers the question paired with the framing text above. Introduce the texts the paper will analyze – which authors and written works are you going to discuss in your paper?
