5/22/06 Classwork/Homework

Classwork:

1. Read Nadine Gordimer's "Once Upon a Time."
2. Answer:
   

• In your opinion, are the husband and wife in the story innocent homeowners who are merely trying to feel secure, or are they racists who cause their own tragedy? Explain your reasoning, using specific evidence from the text.
• Some may find this story to be overly brutal or violent. What do you think of this story's combination of ironic humor and a shocking ending? Why do you think Gordimer wrote her story this way?

Homework:

Both Gordimer's story and Orwell's "Shooting an Elephant" carry messages about cultural clashes. Write a short (3 paragraph) essay comparing and contrasting the two works in terms of their themes, styles, genres, and tones.