Seminar Paper #3

Humanities 150
Seminar Paper #3
Due Tue Feb 1

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.


“Woman Hollering Creek” by Sandra Cisneros

How are men and women portrayed in the story? Consider the various groups of women and men, as well as couples and families. Describe each (men and women) and compare.


How does Cisneros’ use of short scenes and shifting points of view resonate with the details of Cleofilas’ life?


How are Mexico and Texas portrayed in the story? Describe each and compare. Beware of your own cultural associations with Mexico and Texas, and make sure the characteristics you describe are actually in the story.


“Tripmaster Monkey” by Maxine Hong Kingston

Wittman seems to build his identity out of the culture and media he consumes. On the internet, look up several of Wittman’s references or allusions and look for patterns in the kind of culture Wittman obsesses over . Describe the persona he is trying to create. What does this ideal persona reveal about him?


Discuss why Wittman is so hostile toward Asians and Asian culture. Analyze how Wittman describes various Asian populations and elements of Asian culture. What does this reveal about him?


“River of Names” by Dorothy Allison

The narrator says that her relationship with Jesse will eventually end. Do you think she is right? Why does the narrator lie to Jesse? Why doesn't Jesse realize that the narrator is lying? What is the narrator's attitude toward herself? Why does the narrator want to punish Jesse?