ELA B30
Unit: Identity and Sense of Self
“My Face” (Essay)
Vocabulary : Define the following (as they apply to the essay)
Phenomena, metamorphosis, disembodied, masochistic
Dissemble, dross, surreptitiously, caricature
*Indicate whether this word is a noun, verb, adjective, or adverb.
1. Describe Benchley's tone in this essay.
2. This is an informal essay. Why does Benchley use elevated English? What
would be his purpose?
ex. “This almost masochistic craving to offend my own aesthetic sense by
looking at myself and wincing also comes out when snapshots or class photographs
are being passed around.”
“The Nose” (Short Story) Modern World Literature page 261
1. Why does Zenchi pretend to unconcerned about the length of his nose? For
what does he secretly long? Why?
2. What moral about physical appearance doe Ryunosuke express in “The Nose”?
What literary device(s) does he use to make his point?
Creative Writing Assignment
Option #1
Imagine you woke up (after an extreme makeover) to find that you are literally
a new person. Describe the changes to your appearance. Will these changes cramp
your style or improve it? Will you regret the change? Write a narrative about who or
what you now are.
Option #2
Imagine you are in the situation of facing an arranged marriage. Write a diary
entry detailing your emotions as you face the wedding day. Explain how you plan to
enter into the union and pursue the rest of your life.
Option #3
Write a personal reminiscence about some aspect of your life. You should
focus on a topic that connects with your identity. (Perhaps a story of how you
received your name, or a memory of a grandparent and time spent with him or her.)
“By Any Other Name” (Essay) Modern World Literature, page 253
1. From where does the title for this essay come?
2. What is the name for the literary device used in the title?
Explain the original meaning of this phrase.
3. List three ways in which Premila and Santha were discriminated against.
4. Explain how the headmistress shows that she does not value the Indian
culture.
5. Explain how being called Cynthia at school helps to insulate her from the sting
of prejudice.
6. What is the theme of this essay?
7. (In your own words) list the examples that the author uses to support, or
illustrate her point.
8. What significance does the title have for the subject matter in this essay.
9. Explain the meaning of the final paragraph of this piece.
“Eveline” (short story) by James Joyce - Modern World Literature page 75
1. Describe the mood for this short story. Give examples of how the details of
the setting contribute to the mood of the story. (Try to provide quotes to
support your view.)
2. Define epiphany.
Explain the use of epiphany in this story.
3. Complete an outline for the story
Main Character(s):
Protagonist Antagonist Supplementary characters Setting:
Time Place Important detail(s)
Mood, tone
Plot:
Conflict Internal conflict?
External conflict?
Complications Climax Resolution Theme -