Tenn/1A
The Police Officer, the Marine, the Widows … Parts and the Whole
(Alternate title: “Individuals in the Net of Imperialism and War”)
Assignment:
Write a thought-provoking, well-developed essay based on one of the following questions, or a topic of
your choice that links Jenny Eliscu’s “Troubled Homecoming of the Marlboro Marine,” George Orwell’s
“Shooting an Elephant,” and/or the film Beyond Belief. (Use at least 2 of these 3 in your paper.)
1. Consider the media’s role in telling war stories. Are heroes and victims clear categories? What
might Blake Miller and the “9/11 widows” have to say about this? What might Orwell say? What
do these stories teach us about what the media shows and doesn’t?
2. Consider the guilt Miller, and to some extent, Orwell, express in connection with their
experiences. What can be said about personal accountability in high-pressure situations where
individuals are expected to commit violent acts? Where does responsibility lie?
3. What “masks” did the “9/11 widows,” Blake Miller, and George Orwell each wear, and who
(figuratively) put those masks on them? For each case, did their faces grow to fit their masks?
What other masks do we as a society impose on individuals, particularly during times of conflict?
4. What can these stories teach us about the human capacity to “break free,” resist the mask, or
heal from severe trauma? What might the “9/11 widows” have to teach Miller, for example?
How can we help heal ourselves and those among us who are hurting?
Requirements:
You must incorporate examples and quotes from one of our primary texts (“Troubled Homecoming” or
“Shooting an Elephant”). You may bring in additional information, ideas, or quotes from other sources
linked to our class Bb site. In every case, make sure you introduce your source clearly, and quote and/or
paraphrase accurately. If there is a different source that you are interested in using, please present it to
me before you begin writing, so that I can approve it as a credible source for an academic paper.
You may also choose to interview someone who has experience or background that relate to this
assignment. If you do so, please be sure that the individual is receptive to the interview.
As is typical with an academic paper, you’ll need to center your essay around a clear thesis statement,
and you’ll need to organize your body paragraphs around specific topic sentences. Each body
paragraph will need examples/evidence and most importantly, your analysis and commentary, so that
your reader sees the big picture of what you are presenting in your essay.
Required length: 5 pages minimum. I’m looking for thoughtful, quality writing, and you’ll need at least
5 pages to sufficiently develop your points.
Peer review day (bring 3 copies of your typed draft to class): Monday 9/10
Final Draft due: Monday 9/17