WASHINGTON SQUARE

Using the character assigned to you, write five diary entries in the style of Henry James.

"The War Prayer"

Write a paragraph of 150+ words analyzing Twain's syntax in "The War Prayer." Comment on the tone of the piece.

AP Language: Syntax Paragraph

Write a paragraph of 150+ words to effectively analyze Birkerts' syntax in his essay "Into the Electronic Millennium."

The Plough and the Sunset

Late in Book II, Jim and Antonia go back to the country for a picnic. They spent the day in the warm sun, listening to the bees hum, observing the scrub-oak trees, looking down on the town of Black Hawk from the chalk bluffs. As the sun sets they see a curious thing: "on some upland farm a plough had been left standing in the field. The sun was sinking behind it. [ . . . ] exactly contained within the circle of the disk; the handles, the tongue, the share - black against the molten red. There it was, heroic in size, a picture writing on the sun" (156). This is the central image (symbol) of the book. Reread pp.155-156. What does this symbol mean? What is its significance to Cather's view of Nebraska?

AP Language: Eiseley

Write an essay analyzing Eiseley's rhetorical strategy.

Willa Cather's Style

Willa Cather is famous for her literary style. She is able to effectively use diction, tone, and imagery to present beautiful pictures with her words. Choose a quote which is a clear example of Cather's style and explain its significance. Type the quote into the box, give the page number, and explain why you think it is significant.
EXAMPLE: "Misfortune seemed to settle like an evil bird on the roof of the log house, and flap its wings there, warning human beings away. The Russians had such bad luck that people were afraid of them and liked to put them out of mind" (35). This quote paints a picture of darkness, foreshadowing the death of Pavel. The "evil bird" has followed them since that terrible night in the woods with the wolves. Peter and Pavel have not had many friends except the Shimerdas since coming to America.

A sagging wire fence, an unpainted wooden cross

What is troubling Mr. Shimerda? What is "wrong" with him? If you were his counselor, pastor, or neighbor what advice would you give him? Antonia said, "My papa sick all the time. He not look good." Only Antonia could "rouse the old man form the torpor (apathy, lethargic indifference) in which he seemed to live" (29). Be specific. Refer to incidents in the past or present. Use your book.