Seminar Paper #2 (is still due on Tue Jan 25)

Humanities 150
Seminar Paper #2
Due Tue Jan 25

In 1-2 double-spaced pages, respond to one of the following prompts. Your response should illustrate your understanding of the reading by drawing on quotations or specific examples from the reading and citing those passages or examples with page numbers in parenthesis.

“The Toilet” by Amiri Baraka

Who are the “main characters” of the play? If you were to re-write the play cutting the cast size from 11 to 5 characters, which 5 would choose, and why are they most essential to Baraka’s story and message?

Many “realistic” plays are based on the revelation of “dark secret.” Track your reactions as you read the play. What “secrets” are revealed? When and how are they revealed? How does the pace of the revelations effect how you experienced the play?

Analyze Ora’s use of language throughout the play. His language relies heavily racial and homophobic slurs. How does he use this language to establish his identity in the group? What does his use of language reveal about Ora as a character and about the world of the play?

“Going to Meet the Man” by James Baldwin

How does Baldwin’s use of the white police officer’s point of view affect your experience of the story?

Track Jesse’s (the police officer) sexual dysfunction throughout the story. How does Jesse’s view of sexuality relate to his opinion of African-Americans and reveal his own psychology (personality)?

Realistic character psychologies are frequently based on the characters’ environment and heredity. How does Baldwin’s use of flashback re-inform the character of Jesse?