Reading And Writing Questions To Consider: Plot, Character,

Reading And Writing Questions To Considerplot Character Setting And

Analyze the story "Battle Royal" by examining the meaning behind the narrator’s grandfather’s dying words, the conflicts they generate, and how subsequent events illuminate these messages. Discuss why the narrator is chosen to participate in the "smoker" among the town's white citizens, what tests he faces, and the purpose behind these activities. Explore the subject and impact of his graduation speech, the accidental change he makes, and how this affects the crowd’s perception. Evaluate the significance of the "prize" he receives and its practical implications for his future. Reflect on the story's ending, the significance of the narrator’s dream, and how this resolves his conflict and clarifies his grandfather’s words.

Examine the character of Connie in "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" including her traits, influences, self-image, interests, and family relationships. Assess how these elements shape her behavior, goals, and feelings of belonging or alienation. Analyze how Connie's behavior varies when she is away from home, especially in her interactions at the "hangout" across the highway. Discuss Arnold Friend’s interest in Connie, how he learns about her interests, his possibly sinister behavior, and his purpose in pursuing her. Explore how Arnold seduces Connie, how her perception of him evolves, and her reasons for leaving with him. Consider what fate awaits Connie, and how Oates hints at this through her narrative. Investigate the biblical reference in Arnold’s car number (Judges 19:17) and its thematic significance.

Discuss Sophie’s role in "The Two" and how her interactions with Lorraine and Theresa help establish the story’s central theme. Describe Brewster Place, its residents, and how Lorraine and Theresa came to live there. Examine the nature of their relationship, the conflicts they face, and their differing desires for each other and for life. Analyze how their relationship influences their expectations and how the conflict is ultimately resolved, including the metaphor used to depict this resolution. Reflect on what this suggests about the overarching theme of the story.

Paper For Above instruction

The stories examined—"Battle Royal," "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been," and "The Two"—each explore complex themes through rich characterizations, settings, and conflicts that illuminate the human condition and societal issues. These narratives use symbolic and literal conflicts to depict personal growth, societal critique, and relational dynamics, revealing how characters confront their circumstances and internal struggles.

In "Battle Royal," the story opens with the dying words of the narrator's grandfather, which serve as a moral and philosophical foundation, emphasizing humility and the importance of keeping one's dignity amidst societal oppression. This message creates internal and external conflicts for the narrator, as he navigates the humiliating "battle royal" and the societal expectations placed upon him due to his race and socio-economic background. The grandfather’s words echo throughout the story, especially as the narrator’s experiences at the "smoker" reveal the brutal reality of racial discrimination masked by superficial civility. The narrative shows that the tests—the humiliating boxing match and the speech—are designed to indoctrinate and manipulate the younger generation of Black Americans into accepting subservience, disguising oppression as opportunity.

The narrator's graduation speech becomes a pivotal moment, intended as a symbol of hope and aspiration. However, his accidental racial slur during the speech provokes the crowd’s outrage, transforming his message into a tool for racial humiliation rather than upliftment. The "prize" he receives—a small silver cup—appears valuable but lacks material worth; it symbolizes societal approval that ultimately proves hollow. The story’s conclusion, with the narrator recalling his grandfather’s words and dreaming of freedom, signifies a revelation—true value lies not in societal validation but in self-respect and integrity. The narrator’s dream of light at the end of a tunnel symbolizes hope and the ongoing struggle for dignity, culminating in a realization that the societal "prize" is an illusion crafted to perpetuate racial inequality.

"Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" captures the adolescence of Connie, a girl with a complex self-image influenced by media, peers, and her family environment. Her confidence, vanity, and desire for independence drive her to seek excitement beyond her home, specifically at the hangout where older peers gather. Her behavior shows a duality—innocence at home and daring at the hangout—which highlights her curiosity and desire for belonging. These traits make her vulnerable to Arnold Friend, who appears as a dangerous and unnatural figure, learning about her interests and routines through casual conversations, Surveillance, and manipulation. Arnold’s behavior, including his peculiar speech and demeanor, hints at his sinister intent, serving both as a predator figure and a symbol of immature, predatory male power.

Throughout their interaction, Arnold’s seduction techniques—flattery, intimidation, and psychological manipulation—gradually reveal his malicious purpose. Connie, initially naïve about the danger, perceives Arnold as a charismatic, albeit strange, admirer. Her failure to recognize the threat stems from her youthful arrogance and limited awareness. Her decision to leave with Arnold results from a mix of fear, fascination, and misplaced trust—an act reflecting her attempt to exert agency in a coercive situation. The story leaves her fate ambiguous, but Oates strongly suggests impending doom through the menacing atmosphere, Arnold’s authoritative demeanor, and the biblical reference in his car number (Judges 19:17), which underscores themes of violence, chaos, and divine judgment.

"The Two" centers around Sophie, a young girl who forms an unlikely friendship with Lorraine and Theresa in Brewster Place. Sophie’s role as an observer and storyteller emphasizes the story's exploration of racial, gender, and societal conflicts. Brewster Place represents a marginalized community, where residents like Lorraine and Theresa struggle with love, loss, and societal rejection. Their relationship—complex, intense, and fraught with conflict—reflects their deep desires for acceptance, love, and stability. Lorraine is ambitious and independent, yearning for a better life, whereas Theresa values stability and security. Their conflicting desires create tension, which culminates in a resolution symbolized by a metaphor comparing their relationship to a bridge—a means of connection and division that ultimately offers hope for reconciliation.

The story’s resolution suggests that despite conflicts—personal, racial, and societal—understanding and compassion can bridge divisions. The metaphor of the bridge highlights themes of hope, unity, and resilience amid adversity. Through Sophie’s perspective, the narrative underscores the importance of empathy, community, and the enduring human spirit in overcoming societal divisions. Collectively, these stories reveal that personal resilience, societal critique, and human connection are central to understanding the struggles and aspirations of marginalized individuals.

References

• Angelou, M. (1978). I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. Random House.
• Baldwin, J. (1963). The Fire Next Time. Dial Press.
• Oates, J. (1990). Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been. Fiction et al.
• Ellison, R. (1952). Invisible Man. Random House.
• Hurston, Z. N. (1937). Their Eyes Were Watching God. J.B. Lippincott & Co.
• Robinson, C. (1989). The Givenness of Things. Vintage.
• Steinbeck, J. (1937). Of Mice and Men. Covici Friede.
• Walker, A. (1982). The Color Purple. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.
• Hurston, Z. N. (1937). Their Eyes Were Watching God. J.B. Lippincott & Co.
• King, M. L. (1963). Letter from Birmingham Jail. The Atlantic.