Our course theme is “Literature and Conflict,” and both of these stories explore the conflicts, fears and concerns of their place and time (1950s America for Vonnegut, and the present day Nigeria for Okorafor). But, for literature to have more than simply historical value, it also has to speak to us, the people who are reading it, here, today. Pick one of these two stories, and in a paragraph of at least 150 words, explain as specifically as possible (make sure to work in at least one brief quote) whether that story “speaks” to you today, and if so how. Does it make you think of a current social/political/cultural struggle? Did you connect with a character in some way? Does it relate to your major, or a personal interest? Did it bring an issue to your attention that you hadn’t thought about, or make you think about something in a new way? (Your connection to the story can be profound, strange, or even silly. Just be specific about how/why/what parts of the story you’re reacting to.) Then, before you go on, take a sentence or two (if you haven’t already done so in the first part of your response) to touch on the “speculative” nature of the story. What’s the effect of the futuristic setting on how you perceive the story ? On in incorporation of practices and technologies that are not (yet) realistic?
