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?

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?
*Tip 1: Identify the texts (titles and authors) you are analyzing and explain the argument you’re in this piece. Make sure the impact or consequences of your argument are clear to your readers. Be careful to avoid generalizations!

2) The following body paragraphs (at least 3!) should analyze specific passages from your chosen texts to support your argument.
*Tip 2: Analyze, don’t summarize! Provide enough context that the quotes make sense, but make sure to discuss why this quote relates to your thesis. Make points throughout the paper that relate to your argument using keywords from your opening paragraph.

3) You will need to incorporate direct quotations from the texts you analyze. These quotes MUST follow MLA citation style. For information on citations, you can use the MLA Cheat Sheet on Blackboard or visit the Purdue OWL (http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/).
*Tip 3: Do not allow quotations to overwhelm your essay! For any direct quotation you include, make sure to write an ANALYSIS of the passage that is roughly double the length of the quotation itself.

4) A Works Cited page is required. Please consult the MLA Cheat Sheet or the Purdue OWL for instructions and formatting.
*The Works Cited page is NOT included in your word minimum.

5) Your essay should be no less than 1000 words long. Double space, use 12-point Times New Roman font. Be sure to include a header with your name, class section, and date, and don’t forget to include page numbers. Proofread your essay paying attention to sentence mechanics, consistent syntax, style, and grammar.

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