Honors English Personal AnthologyThis year we have been reading American authors exclusively. In order for you to expand your horizons and sample additional American authors, you will compile an anthology of some of your favorite short works.

QUESTION

Honors English Personal AnthologyThis year we have been reading American authors exclusively. In order for you to expand your horizons and sample additional American authors, you will compile an anthology of some of your favorite short works.
In compiling your anthology, you will act as editor, searching for those works that best reflect your own personality, interests and literary taste. This exercise will give you the opportunity to explore.
If you start reading a short story and find that it bores you, put it away and find another. Rule number one is DON’T BE BORED!
After you have selected and compiled your favorite works, you will write a preface (600 words) in which you draw conclusions about your choices and the identification of a theme that relates to your collection. Address how you made your choices- what drew you to a particular artist, poet or article. The preface will also include why you chose the literary criticism pieces that you write about.
In summary- Actual written work that you create will consist of:
Table of contents
2 pages (600 word) preface (please address the scene from the novel or play in your preface)
1.5 page (500 word) response to Literary Criticism to an American work
Works Cited Pages
Total pages YOU compose 4
ORGANIZATION: The Personal Anthology will follow the same order as the list or required works.
The collection will consist of the following:
Table of contents
Preface
Literary criticism analysis (yours)
The works cited

The first check point date: ___________________
Second check point date: _____________

Works Cited:
Date:______________

Final project:
Date:_____________
Your anthology will include the following (all by American authors):
Poem written before 1914 (the beginning of WWI) 1*
Poem written between 1914 and 1964 1*
Poem written since 1965 1*
*You may substitute one poem w/a work of art relevant to the time period.
Essay (or newspaper or magazine personal opinion columns 1
or letters to the editors) written by living Americans.
Recent objective news article on subject which interest you
but which concerns neither entertainment nor sports. 1
From a novel OR a play, a scene describing the moment during which
a character realizes or learns something about her/himself (Note: you do
not need to read a new novel for this assignment) 1
Work (s) of short fiction by a non-Caucasian American. 1
Work (s) (genres of your choice) 20th or 21st century American authors 1
Scholarly articles on literary criticism relating to ONE of your works. 1
500 word response (with in text citations) to literary criticism. 1
Works Cited Page
Scene from the novel or play: include page of the scene; circle the exact spot in the text.

ANSWER

Preface

In compiling this personal anthology of American authors, I have sought to reflect my own personality, interests, and literary taste. This exercise has allowed me to explore a diverse range of works and discover new voices within American literature. Throughout the process, my guiding rule has been to never be bored. If a short story failed to captivate my attention, I promptly set it aside and delved into another.

As an editor, I have carefully selected works that resonate with me on a personal level. Each piece in this anthology has drawn me in through its unique storytelling, thought-provoking themes, or exquisite craftsmanship. I have been particularly drawn to authors who challenge conventions, explore the complexities of human nature, and offer fresh perspectives on the American experience.

The theme that emerges from this collection is the multifaceted nature of identity. American literature has long grappled with questions of selfhood, exploring how individuals come to understand themselves and their place in the world. The works included in this anthology offer diverse explorations of this theme, showcasing moments of self-realization, the complexities of cultural identity, and the search for meaning in a rapidly changing society.

In the realm of poetry, I have chosen three distinct works that span different time periods. The first poem, written before 1914, is Emily Dickinson’s “Because I could not stop for Death.” This haunting and introspective piece captures the poet’s contemplation of mortality, inviting readers to ponder their own existence. Moving forward in time, the second poem, written between 1914 and 1964, is Langston Hughes’s “Harlem.” Hughes’s powerful and evocative verses explore the deferred dreams of African Americans during the Harlem Renaissance. Finally, representing the contemporary era, I have included Mary Oliver’s “Wild Geese,” a poignant celebration of nature and our place within it.

In the realm of essays, I have selected a thought-provoking piece by Roxane Gay, a prominent contemporary writer. Her essay, “Bad Feminist,” challenges societal expectations and stereotypes while exploring the complexities of being a modern woman. Gay’s candid and personal perspective adds depth to the anthology, inviting readers to reflect on their own beliefs and assumptions.

To provide a well-rounded view of current affairs, I have included a recent objective news article on a subject of personal interest that falls outside the realms of entertainment and sports. This article offers a glimpse into the pressing issues and debates of our time, encouraging critical thinking and fostering a broader understanding of the world.

In selecting a scene from a novel or play, I have chosen a pivotal moment of self-discovery. From F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby,” I have included the scene where Jay Gatsby realizes the emptiness of his pursuit of wealth and success. This scene, marked by Gatsby’s yearning for something more meaningful, epitomizes the themes of identity and the disillusionment of the American Dream.

Diversity and representation are essential in any anthology, and I have made sure to include the work of non-Caucasian American authors. For the realm of short fiction, I have chosen “Interpreter of Maladies” by Jhumpa Lahiri. This collection of stories explores the immigrant experience and the complexities of cultural assimilation, shedding light on the diversity of American identities.

To showcase the breadth of American literature in the 20th and 21st centuries, I have selected a range of genres. These works, encompassing fiction, drama, and nonfiction, demonstrate the richness and diversity of American storytelling. They include Toni Morrison’s “Beloved,” a haunting and powerful novel that delves into the legacy of slavery; August Wilson’s play “Fences,” which explores the struggles and aspirations of African Americans in the 1950s; and David Foster Wallace’s

“Infinite Jest,” a postmodern masterpiece that delves into the complexities of addiction and entertainment in contemporary society.

To deepen our understanding of these works, I have included a scholarly article on literary criticism that relates to one of the selected works. This article provides valuable insights and analysis, shedding light on the themes, techniques, and historical context of the chosen work. In my 500-word response to the literary criticism, I will engage with the article’s arguments, offering my own interpretation and analysis while incorporating in-text citations to support my claims.

In conclusion, this personal anthology of American authors reflects my own interests and literary taste, emphasizing the theme of identity in its various forms. Through poetry, essays, fiction, drama, and nonfiction, this collection invites readers to delve into the complexities of selfhood, cultural identity, and the search for meaning. By curating these works, I aim to inspire a sense of curiosity and exploration while showcasing the diversity and richness of American literature.

References

Poem written before 1914: Emily Dickinson – “Because I could not stop for Death”

Poem written between 1914 and 1964: Langston Hughes – “Harlem”

Poem written since 1965: Mary Oliver – “Wild Geese”

Essay by a living American: Roxane Gay – “Bad Feminist”

Objective news article on a subject of interest: [Article Title]

Scene from a novel or play: F. Scott Fitzgerald – “The Great Gatsby” (Page [X])

Work of short fiction by a non-Caucasian American: Jhumpa Lahiri – “Interpreter of Maladies”

Works (genres of your choice) by 20th or 21st-century American authors: 

– Toni Morrison – “Beloved”

– August Wilson – “Fences”

– David Foster Wallace – “Infinite Jest”

Scholarly article on literary criticism: [Article Title]

500-word response to literary criticism

Works Cited Page