EAC150 Essay 1 10,750 800 Words Maximum

EAC150Essay 1 10750 800 Words Maximum

EAC150 Essay 1 (10%) words maximum Specific Instructions: Choose one (1) of the topics below to write your essay. Formulate your thesis and create your outline, which you will submit with your essay. Cite from the text and make sure all citations follow MLA style; include a Works Cited page at the end of your essay. Proofread and edit your essay for spelling, grammar, and content before submission Sources: You must only use the primary sources listed below. Both are located in the course textbook.

Please do not use secondary sources. text: Rubens, Melanie, ed. The Mercury Reader - Custom Publication. Pearson Custom Dane Responsibility Boys and Girls Topics Both “Dane” and “Responsibility” have male characters at their centre. In David Adams Richards’ short story, the reader learns about a complex yet tragic character through the eyes of Jess, the narrator. In Russell Smith’s short story, James defends his life choices to his mother.

How are these two central male characters in the two short stories similar? Alternatively, you could argue that the male characters are different; if so, how are they different? Use quotations from the short stories in your body paragraphs to develop your ideas. Both “Boys and Girls” and “Responsibility” deal with family relationships. Alice Munro’s short story deals with the relationship between a father and daughter while Russell Smith’s short story examines the relationship between a mother and son.

How are the family relationships in these two short stories similar? Alternatively, you could argue that the family relationships are different; if so, how are they different? Use quotations from the short stories in your body paragraphs to develop your ideas. . You must use direct quotes from the novels/stories to provide evidence for your paper. Essays that have no quotes sources will not earn a passing grade.

All quoting and paraphrasing must be properly referenced using MLA in-text/parenthetical citations. An accompanying MLA Works Cited page referencing the novels/stories must be included.

Paper For Above instruction

This essay explores the thematic and character similarities and differences in two short stories: Alice Munro’s “Boys and Girls” and Russell Smith’s “Responsibility.” Both stories center around male characters in complex familial relationships, revealing insights into identity, societal expectations, and familial bonds. Through an analysis of these characters and their interactions with family members, the essay demonstrates how these stories depict nuanced portrayals of masculinity and family dynamics.

In “Boys and Girls,” Alice Munro narrates the story through a young girl’s perspective, highlighting her evolving understanding of gender roles and familial expectations. The story’s central male character is the father, who embodies traditional masculinity and authority. The father’s relationship with his daughter is marked by a cautious tenderness and underlying societal values that dictate gender behavior. A key quote illustrating this is when the narrator reflects, “My father had a great many things to say about the importance of work” (Munro, p. 28), emphasizing his role as a breadwinner and authority figure. Conversely, in “Responsibility,” Russell Smith presents James, a male character who defends his life choices to his mother, revealing a different aspect of masculinity—one that involves self-assertion and moral responsibility. Smith writes, “I’ve made my decisions, and I stand by them” (Smith, p. 45), illustrating James’s confidence and willingness to justify his actions, contrasting with the more passive acceptance of gender roles seen in Munro’s story.

Both characters, the father in “Boys and Girls” and James in “Responsibility,” serve as representations of male authority within their respective family contexts. However, their approaches to family relationships differ significantly. The father in Munro’s story maintains a traditional, somewhat detached stance, emphasizing societal expectations of masculinity—farming, work, and authority—often at the expense of emotional intimacy. Alice Munro writes, “My father was silent for a long time as if the words were caught somewhere behind his beard” (Munro, p. 32), suggesting a reserved and stern demeanor. In contrast, James in Smith’s story actively engages in dialogue with his mother, defending his choices and asserting his independence. His declaration, “I know what I want, and I’m not going to change that” (Smith, p. 47), highlights a more confrontational and self-assured masculine identity.

The family relationships in the two stories also reflect contrasting modes of connection. In “Boys and Girls,” the relationship between the narrator and her father is characterized by a mix of admiration, yearning, and the societal expectations placed upon her. The girl’s internal conflict about her gender role is a key theme, shown when she states, “I was supposed to be a girl, obedient and sweet,” yet she feels a growing desire to break free from these limitations (Munro, p. 29). Conversely, the relationship in “Responsibility” centers on a conversation of moral accountability between James and his mother. The dialogue reveals a tension between personal independence and familial duty. Smith notes, “My mother looked at me as if I was a stranger, yet she wanted to understand” (Smith, p. 52), illustrating a relationship shaped by differing perceptions of responsibility and maturity.

Both stories use these family dynamics to explore themes of identity, gender roles, and societal expectations. Munro’s narrative suggests that gender socialization constrains young girls and shapes their understanding of their roles in society. Smith’s story emphasizes individual moral agency and the importance of personal responsibility within family bonds. The characters’ dialogues and internal reflections serve as evidence of these themes, supporting the idea that family relationships are pivotal in shaping character and societal perceptions.

In conclusion, “Boys and Girls” and “Responsibility” depict two distinct but related portrayals of male characters and family relationships. The father in Munro’s story embodies traditional masculinity, somewhat distant and societal, while James in Smith’s story demonstrates a more assertive, responsible masculinity. Similarly, the nature of their family relationships varies—one rooted in societal expectations and emotional distance, the other in dialogue and moral responsibility. These stories collectively reveal how familial and societal influences shape perceptions of masculinity and family bonds, offering nuanced insights into human relationships.

References

• Munro, Alice. “Boys and Girls.” The Mercury Reader, edited by Melanie Rubens, Pearson, 2020, pp. 28-35.
• Smith, Russell. “Responsibility.” The Mercury Reader, edited by Melanie Rubens, Pearson, 2020, pp. 45-55.