This week I have uploaded two stories for you to read: “Borders,” by Thomas King and “Featherweight,” by Sterling HolyWhiteMountain. Both tales explore the meaning of going “off the reservation” for American Indians. Yet the experiences they relate are very different. In a critique of 750 words or more, contrast the two stories. As we discussed in class, you should try to have a clear thesis driving your response. Think of it as a mini-essay – perhaps not as developed as a full length essay, but with the essential ingredients of a thesis and supporting examples, including quotes from the texts of the stories.
Part 2 of your assignment is to inform your critique with a bit of outside research.
One of the objectives of this course is to make sure that students are familiar with the rudiments of good literary research and skilled at incorporating research findings into their writing.
Your understanding of these two stories – especially “Borders” – can be enhanced by some background knowledge about Blackfoot Indian history and culture. I would like you to do a little research and include at least two quotes (from two separate sources) in your critique. You can conduct research on the authors, find critical commentary on the stories themselves, or look for relevant historical background information. But try not to simply adduce irrelevant facts and figures. When you quote from your research, the quote should help to support some claim or observation you are making about the story.
I know that Google can be a treasure trove of good information on just about anything under the sun. The problem is that Google mixes the good with the bad. Google makes no distinction between authoritative, reliable sources and those that are not so trustworthy. I have no objection to your using sources found in Google in your critiques and essays this semester, as long as you have “vetted” them and deemed them to be valid.
Please use the attached stories and one of the other witten sources as reference. Please cite in MLA 8 edition and some outside sources.
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