Wednesday's Quiz (100 pts): 3/4

Review Quiz (1oo pts)

On Wednesday, March 4th, you will take an in-class, short-essay quiz in which you will answer two of out three (2 of 3) of the following prompts. You may use the novel during the quiz, BUT you may not include any loose sheets of paper or notes. All of your notes must be directly written in the novel. I suggest using sticky tabs to mark important pages, or list page numbers on the inside of novel.

The successful essays should take a minimum of 45 minutes of class time to complete both essays. The essays will also need to included cited material, with page numbers, and a contextualization of textual evidence according to your main argument. 

You are to provide an argumentative thesis statement that answers the question set and gives your essay direction; do not simply re-state the questions, but use the prompts as starting points.

Here are your three choices (remember you must respond to two (2)):

1. How does misinformation control the Gladney family's lives? Identify specific instances in the novel in which misinformation is relevant, and discuss where it comes from and how that helps shape the family. Do the Gladney's symbolize a microcosm of the American family  and how "knowledge" is acquired? What possible commentary is DeLillo making through the idea of misinformation and "knowledge"?

2. Towards the end, Jack Gladney states to a doctor, "...Can't understand what people see in all this artificial stimulation. I get high just walking in the woods" (279). This statement can be considered an indictment of medicinal and recreational drugs, but it also alludes to the common activities pursued by all of the characters in living out their everyday lives, including Jack. 

Define "artificial stimulation" as you understand it used as a theme in the novel. Identify objects and activities that can be considered "artificial stimulation." By contrast, what is "natural," by the novel's standards? 

Which characters are taking part, what are they doing, and what are their possible motivations in their pursuit? For this one, it might help to pick 1 or 2 characters and discuss their transformation and pursuit throughout the entire novel. The statement also challenges us to consider, what is the purpose of life, according to Jack or other characters. 

3.  What role does routine play in the characters' lives? In society? Murray argues, "in theory," that humanity is made of killers and diers, and that those who plot out their lives (killers) are more in control (291-292). How are these themes represented throughout the entire novel? 

Compare and contrast routine and plotting; involve within your exploration how technology is used by the characters to enact either, or both. Primarily, what relationship do both routine and plotting have to life and death? Where in the conversation does religion or spirituality fit, as a cultural behavior? How does spirituality connect to either routine or plotting, from the novel?

TIPS: 

- Go back through the novel and find some supporting lines to use in your responses, rather than using just a couple of pages.

-Use brief summary, but make your point clearer and emphasized than summary. Use summary to support your argument, in other words.

-Take your time, organize your responses.