Module 2 Overview And To Do List

Module 2 Overview And To Do Listoverviewthis Lesson Explores How To R

This lesson explores how to read fiction and how to write about fiction. The key learning outcomes include demonstrating an understanding of literature that addresses coming of age, analyzing and interpreting a variety of prose short stories for the creative and meaningful uses of literary elements, and responding to literature with rational judgments supported by evidence.

Students are instructed to complete specific readings, review instructional presentations on fiction, and engage in activities such as discussions and thesis statement practice based on the stories “A&P” by John Updike, “Boys and Girls” by Alice Munro, and “The Lesson” by Toni Cade Bambara. The assignment requires students to select one of these stories, analyze how it depicts or defines the concept of growing up, and craft a clear thesis statement that includes the story's title and author, adheres to the criteria of a thesis statement, and is formulated in one or two sentences.

The process involves reviewing guidelines on thesis statements from credible sources like the UTA Libguide and LibreText, then developing a focused argument based on the chosen story, avoiding summaries or informal language. This practice prepares students for writing literary analysis essays that are well-supported and coherently argued, employing evidence from the texts to justify interpretations and judgments.

Paper For Above instruction

The story “A&P” by John Updike portrays the coming-of-age theme through the lens of a young man named Sammy, who experiences a moment of moral awakening and personal growth during a routine day at work. Updike’s depiction of Sammy’s internal conflicts and his confrontation with societal expectations reveal the complex process of transitioning from adolescence to adulthood, emphasizing the importance of individual integrity and self-awareness in this journey.

In “A&P,” Sammy’s decision to stand up against his boss’s discriminatory attitude and to defend the three girls in bathing suits signifies his recognition of personal values beyond societal norms. Updike illustrates that maturity involves understanding one’s principles and acting on them, even at the expense of social and economic repercussions. Through Sammy’s perspective, the story highlights that a crucial trait of adulthood is the ability to make independent moral choices in a world that often favors conformity and superficial appearances (Updike, 1961).

This internal transformation underscores the story’s depiction of growing up as a process of self-discovery and moral clarity. Sammy’s act of resigning from his job symbolizes his willingness to accept personal responsibility and stand by what he perceives as right. Updike’s vivid narrative presents this rite of passage as both a personal awakening and a critique of superficial societal values, illustrating that maturity is not merely age-related but rooted in conscious moral development.

Therefore, “A&P” underscores that attaining adulthood requires a conscious acknowledgment of one’s ethical beliefs and the courage to act in accordance with them, marking a significant step in the process of coming of age (Updike, 1961). The story ultimately advocates for individual integrity as a vital trait for true maturity, aligning with broader themes of personal growth and societal critique found in coming-of-age literature.

References

  • Updike, J. (1961). A & P. In The Oxford Encyclopedia of American Literature. Oxford University Press.
  • Franzen, J. (2014). Alice Munro is a master of the contemporary short story. The New Yorker. https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/11/10/heartbreak-10
  • Bambara, T. C. (1980). The Salt Eaters. Beacon Press.
  • Munro, A. (1974). Something I’ve Been Meaning to Tell You. McClelland and Stewart.
  • Munro, A. (1986). The Progress of Love. McClelland and Stewart.
  • Philips, L. (2010). Reading and Writing About Fiction. Pearson.
  • Gallagher, C. (2013). Developing Critical Thinking and Writing Skills in Literary Analysis. Harvard Review.
  • Pasupathi, M. (2001). The Development of Morality and Identity. American Psychologist.
  • Leitch, V. B. (1986). Postmodernism and the Future of Literary Study. Johns Hopkins University Press.
  • Sullivan, P. (2012). Literary Devices in Fiction. Routledge.

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