English 1101
Paper #2 – Character Analysis
The Writer’s Resource defines an interpretive analysis as an essay that “examines or compares particular items for a reason: to enhance your reader’s understanding of people’s conditions, actions, beliefs, or desires” (118). Using The Mother Tongue, write a paper consisting of at least 750 words in which you evaluate the insider/outsider status (condition) of any three of the characters in the novel. Take into consideration, as a starting point, the background information that the author provides us. In particular, think about what kind of community Teri Holbrook describes. Also, think about what kind of information she gives the reader about the origins, personalities, and experiences (or the actions, beliefs, and desires) of the characters. In the introduction, define what it means to be an “insider” or an “outsider” in this novel. What geographical, social, economic, political, emotional, cultural, or personal factors are involved in determining membership in a given group? Remember that some characters may be insiders in some ways and outsiders in others, and that the categories are not always imposed from outside. Often, as we have seen, characters invent and/or embrace the divisions that make them either “in” or “out” of a designated group.
Make certain that you use material from the novel to support your contentions and assertions. Also, please adopt a formal, objective, academic point of view.
Use 12 font and times new roman. Double space between lines. Do not use extra spaces between paragraphs.
You must use at least two outside sources on this project in your paper. It must be documented according to MLA guidelines. You must use in-text citations appropriately, and you must have a works cited page with 3 items listed, counting the novel. The other two sources may include one dictionary, encyclopedia, or other source giving a definition of insider, outsider, other, alien, or related terms. You do not have to adhere to this definition, but you should react to it by explaining how it fits in to your own conception of insider/outsider. The other source can be any book, essay, biographical sketch, encyclopedia entry, or newspaper article about the author, fiction in general, insider/outsider issues, symbolism, imagery, or any other generic information that relates to the topic in any way. The purpose of this extra research is to ensure that you can use MLA correctly and that you know how to document outside material correctly in your text. Failure to do this properly will result in your receiving less than a C on the paper.
The essay will be due on 3-11-10. The rough draft must be ready for peer review on 3-9-10.
Some of the characters you might consider are listed below.
1. Alby Truit
2. Daniel Halford
3. Ella Alden
4. Gale Alden
5. Dr. Goddard
6. The Keasts (any one or all of them collectively)
7. Katie Pru
8. Nadianna
9. Haskell
10. Sally Robertson
11. Le Nguyen
12. Sarah Gainer
13. Reebe