Literature Final

Because your time is limited, I will NOT require you to CITE the sources of those quotes and paraphrases. In other words, you should NOT bother to include parenthetical (or “in-text”) citations or a works cited page. (Still, it helps if you cite the source INFORMALLY, by simply providing page numbers for quotes and paraphrases, maybe in parentheses, in the sentence itself.)

However, if you import quotes or paraphrases from OUTSIDE SOURCES (that is, sources beyond our textbook and course materials like the Discussion Board), you MUST CITE them, using proper MLA format, meaning that you must include parenthetical citations and a works cited page, so that I can easily find your source and review it. Incomplete or incorrect citation format will lower your grade. In addition–if you use outside sources–you must be careful to do the following: 1) Use no more than ONE outside source, total, for the exam. 2) Select the source very carefully. If you use an inappropriate or untrustworthy or biased source, your grade will suffer. Your best bet, always, is to use our Roane State Library online databases. Avoid Web sites. 3) Don’t be tempted to use outside sources without citing them. Failure to cite is plagiarism–which brings major penalties: a score of zero on the exam. (I should remind you that I’ve activated the automatic plagiarism checker. The checker does not distinguish between work copied from someone else and work copied from a paper you yourself have written for another class. Severe penalties apply in both cases.)

But remember that this is a test, NOT A RESEARCH PROJECT. Your task is to show your understanding of our textbook and our online discussions. I do NOT encourage or expect you to use outside sources. The only sources you need for this exam are your textbook and our class Discussion Board.

Finally, proofread very carefully: your writing matters, including punctuation, spelling, mechanics.

QUESTION August Wilson’s play Fences could almost share its name with another play we’ve read this semester, Death of a Salesman. In a well-organized essay answer of between 600 and 900 words, discuss the ways in which both plays are about the fences–barriers, limitations–that the main characters, Willy Loman and Troy Maxson, struggle against. What are those fences? Be as specific as you can about both the literal and figurative fences Loman and Maxson face. Then go on to discuss how the angers and frustrations of the two main characters as they push against fences sometimes serve to create fences for other family members. For Willy Loman, discuss the fences Willy creates for his son Biff. Give at least two examples of those fences and their effects on Biff. For Troy Maxson, discuss the fences Troy creates for his wife, Rose. Offer at least two examples of those fences and their effects on Rose.