11 Module 2 Assessments
Discussion Board
Directions: Choose this link to access Module 2 Discussion: Kafka’s Dark Sayings: Interpreting the Parable of “Before the Law” .
Franz Kafka’s short story “Before the Law” (see Module 2 Readings and LibriVox (6) recording) was first published in a Jewish magazine in 1915. It was later included in his novel, The Trial which was published after his death in 1925. “Before the Law” has traditionally been interpreted by scholars as a parable. The word parable comes from the Greek word parabolē, which means side throwing or comparison, and thus a parable is a short story, like a fable, which presumably teaches a moral or lesson in the form of an extended analogy. Parables are often associated with the Hebrew Bible as well as the New Testament. In Hebrew, the word for parable can also be translated as a “dark saying.” This translation suggests that the meaning of a moral of parable is not always immediately clear to the reader. After reading Kafka’s “Before the Law,” offer your own interpretation of the parable’s meaning. What moral or lesson does it seem to be offering? How do you interpret the story’s main conflict and the characters involved in it?
Submission: Reply to at least two other students, aiming to notice patterns, commonalities and interesting differences in our learning community. All posts should be written in complete sentences and are expected to meet the standards for college-level writing. Original posts should be at least five sentences in length; replies should be at least three sentences in length.
Grading: This discussion is worth 20 points toward your final grade and will be graded using the Discussion Rubric. Please use it as a guide toward successful completion of this discussion 1 .
Course Journal: Journal 2 – Exploring Narrative Perspective in Poe’s “A Descent into the Mailström”
Directions: Choose this link to access Journal 2: Exploring Narrative Perspective in Poe’s “A Descent into the Maelström” .
Read the text and listen along to the audio recording of Edgar Allan Poe’s short story “A Descent into the Maelström.” The LibriVox (8) audio recording features a brief and informative biography of Poe. This enigmatic story describes the experience of a sailor’s escape from a whirlpool. It is constructed as a story within in a story features a complex narrative perspective. In this journal entry, you will reflect upon the story’s use of differing narrative perspectives.
- How many narrators or voices are present within the story?
- What skill ultimately enables the sailor to escape the whirlpool?
- What relationship does the story’s title have to its approach to narrative perspective?
- Finally, can you connect this story’s narrative style to another work of fiction, such as another book, film, television show, or perhaps even a song?
Submission: To submit your entry, choose the link titled, Journal 2, above. Choose the “Create Journal Entry” button and complete your entry using the text editor box. Include hyperlinks to relevant texts, videos, or images. Also consider embedding images or videos in your entry to make it more interactive. Be sure to give your entry a title and complete your submission by choosing the “Submit” button at the bottom of the screen.
Grading: This assignment is worth 10 points and will be graded using the Journal Rubric. Please use it as a guide toward successful completion of this assignment. 1
Course Assignment: Essay 2 – Literary Analysis
Directions: In this essay, you will write an 800 – 1000 word literary analysis of William Faulkner’s short story, “A Rose for Emily” in the Module 2 Readings. Using the formal elements of fiction described in the learning object for this module, identify an interpretive challenge in this story – some aspect of the story that begs the question, “What does this mean?” If you have difficulty identifying or describing an interpretive challenge for the story, consult the list of questions that correspond to each element of fiction in the Questions for Active Reading diagram (see tab 4 of the Module 2 Learning Unit).
In order to provide a detailed and well-supported answer to your interpretive challenge, in your essay you must refer to each other elements of fiction in the story. For example, if you choose to describe the story’s main theme, your essay must also examine aspects of the story’s plot, characters, setting, and conflict.
Submission: Post the assignment using the Essay 2: L iterary Analysis link above. Use the “Browse My Computer” button in the Attach File area to attach your document. Be sure to complete your submission by choosing the “Submit” button at the bottom of the screen.
Grading: This assignment is worth 80 points and will be graded using the Essay rubric. Please use it as a guide to successful completion of this assignment 1 .
