Class Exercise 5

English 220 Principles of Lit. Study
Brian Page
September 19, 2001

Writing assignment #1: Due, September 24, 2001

In the space of no more than 3 and no less than 2 pages, briefly compare the structural relationship between the frame story and one of the tales in The Arabian Nights. As this in itself could be the subject of a long paper, in order to do so, in this short assignment, compare one passage from a later tale and relate it to another in the frame story. (For the sake of the assignment I'm limiting "frame story" to mean pages 3 to 16 of our text.) The point of doing so should be to attempt to explain what connections and differences the passages you choose reveal about the structure of stories in general. At minimum a short analysis in this assignment should discuss repetitions and binary oppositions (of words, terms, and themes), and mention at least two or three character functions (hero, heroine, helper, villain, victim, donor, etc. and other agents of various kinds including magical transformation, war, tests, and other obstacles etc.). (In other words, perform a "close reading" of two passages). This work can then be elaborated into a discussion of the concepts of plot, story, fabula, and/or matrix (of functions). You may employ one of the quotes from the "Critical Terms and Concepts" packet to help guide you as you write, or to add some punch to your argument. After that, take a breath and pat yourself on the back.

As mentioned, if you want to write a longer paper on the Nights and a short paper on Frankenstein, you may, but please let me know now that you are doing so.