Compare and contrast “Happy Endings” by Margaret Atwood and “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut. Focus the comparison on
the use of plotline in order to develop theme.
-Break down the plot structures. What structure are these stories using to tell the story they are telling? Why?
-How would the stories be different if the writers did not develop the plotline as they did?
2) Compare and contrast “Story of an Hour” by Chopin and “Happy Endings” by Atwood focusing the paper on the theme of
happiness in romantic relationships.
-What are the arguments the authors are making about romantic relationships?
-What elements of fiction do the authors use to make the arguments they are making in the stories?
-What do the stories say about the times in which they were written? Are these stories helpful today?
3) Compare and contrast “Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid and “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut. Focus the paper on the use of
point of view and equality.
-Break down the use of Point of View in the two stories above. Why do you think the authors chose the point of views they are
choosing to tell their stories? Does it work?
-Give clear examples of how and why.
4) Compare and contrast two stories we discussed in class focusing on the use of character.
-Break down at least one character in two of the stories we read in class.
-How and why do the authors of each story choose to develop, or not develop the characters you have chosen to discuss?
-What are the particular functions of each character in the pieces?
