Write A 250-Word Minimum Response To Each Writing Prompt

Write A 250 Word Minimum Response To Each Writing Prompt Belowyou M

Write a 250-word (minimum) response to each writing prompt below. You must meet the minimum word count for each response to get full credit. Use only the assigned readings unless otherwise instructed. Your responses must include quotes from each text used to get full credit. Be sure to quote, cite, and reference from the text(s) using appropriate APA format.

For assistance with APA citations, review the "APA Format" link (go to "Start Here" and then "Course Resources"). Put all writing assignments in ONE Microsoft Word document, and identify your work by using your last name in the file name (example: LastnameWeek1.docx). Upload it by clicking on the "W4 Writing Assignments" link below and upload the file as an attachment. * Submissions that are not in accepted file formats or cut and pasted into the comments section of the submission area will not be accepted. Please check to be sure your file has uploaded correctly. It is your responsibility to verify that you submitted the assignment successfully.

Do not wait until you see a zero in the gradebook! This Week's Writing Assignments 1. In "Cathedral," how would you describe the relationship between the narrator and his wife? Do you think their relationship will change after this experience? What do you feel is the significance of the Robert's lack of vision?

2. Look at Alice Walker's "Everyday Use" and explain how the quilts in the story symbolize the family's heritage. How do Dee and Maggie view the significance of the family's heritage, and how is that represented by the quilts in the story?

Paper For Above instruction

Response to Writing Prompt 1: "Cathedral"

In Raymond Carver's "Cathedral," the relationship between the narrator and his wife is initially marked by emotional distance and misunderstanding. The narrator begins the story with a sense of detachment and skepticism, especially toward his wife’s friend Robert, who is blind. The narrator admits, "My wife had invited Robert without telling me," highlighting a sense of arranged familiarity and perhaps discomfort (Carver, 1983). Throughout the story, however, an evolving connection develops between the narrator and Robert during their shared experience of drawing the cathedral. This act allows the narrator to confront his preconceived notions about blindness and perception. The story hints that their relationship might deepen or change after the experience; the narrator's perspective becomes more open and empathetic, as he confesses, "I think it's really something" about the drawing (Carver, 1983). The significance of Robert's lack of vision lies in its metaphorical value—his physical blindness emphasizes his inner clarity and wisdom, contrasting with the narrator's limited perception. Robert’s blindness illuminates the theme that true understanding transcends physical sight, suggesting that insight and empathy are key to genuine relationships. Ultimately, the story suggests that personal growth and connection are possible through shared vulnerability and transcendence beyond superficial perceptions.

Response to Writing Prompt 2: "Everyday Use"

In Alice Walker's "Everyday Use," the quilts symbolize the family's heritage and the different ways it’s valued by members of the family. The quilts are hand-stitched by family ancestors, embodying cultural history, craftsmanship, and the legacy passed down through generations. Walker describes the quilts as “the most recognizable symbol of our family history,” illustrating their importance as living artifacts of heritage (Walker, 1973). Dee’s attitude towards the quilts reflects her desire to elevate her heritage through superficial adornment; she wants to display them as cultural artifacts, not for everyday use. Dee sees the quilts as symbols of her connection to her ancestors but also as relics to be preserved and admired, as she plans to hang them on a wall. Conversely, Maggie views the quilts as symbols of her everyday life and connection to her family’s history. She understands their practical, ongoing use, reflecting a deeply rooted appreciation for heritage that is lived and experienced daily. Maggie’s perspective embodies the authentic, continuous tradition of family life, whereas Dee’s view is more about external symbols of identity. The quilts thus embody contrasting attitudes: Dee’s desire for recognition and display versus Maggie’s acknowledgment of family heritage as part of ordinary life. The story emphasizes that heritage is rooted in tangible, practical connection rather than superficial display, depicting the authentic transmission of cultural identity from generation to generation.

References

Carver, R. (1983). Cathedral. In What We Talk About When We Talk About Love. Random House.

Walker, A. (1973). Everyday Use. In In Love & Trouble: Stories of Black Women. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.