Open Prompt #4

2001. One definition of madness is "mental delusion or the eccentric behavior arising from it." But Emily Dickinson wrote

    Much madness is divinest Sense-

    To a discerning Eye-

Novelists and playwrights have often seen madness with a "discerning Eye." Select a novel or play in which a character's apparent madness or irrational behavior plays an important role. Then write a well-organized essay in which you explain what this delusion or eccentric behavior consists of and how it might be judged reasonable. Explain the significance of the "madness" to the work as a whole. Do not merely summarize the plot.

            WHAT IS WRONG WITH WHILLY LOMAN? He talks to himself, undoubtedly has anger management, and couldn’t see the truth if it slapped him in the face. But why? What was Miller doing when he created this mindless, irrational character? The answer is simple; Willy’s madness is simply not madness. It is reasonable and is one of the most important aspects of the Death of A Salesman.

         In fact, Willy’s problems are the result from the society he is surrounded by. His craziness was born to represent what happens to the everyday hero when they are placed in a world such as ours. Willy started out a “normal” man. He coped with life’s nasty toile by transforming into this somewhat psychotic being. To one side of the audience, it is completely reasonable and understood.

Willy’s flashbacks, constant rambling, and hallucinations stand as enormous parts of the play. Miller uses his sporadic flashbacks to show the reader the truth of the past. His rambling gives us a clue to what is really wrong with Willy Loman. His hallucinations of his brother represent an important element of Willy’s childhood. Without these important layers, the play just wouldn’t make sense. 

         Miller used Willy’s madness to expose the dysfunction in the Loman household. It is obvious to the reader that there is something wrong in their broken down house. Without Willy’s craziness, this truth would never come out as to what was wrong. His problems make their family what it is and connect all the missing pieces to the Loman family puzzle.

         Willy seems like a madman at first glance, but after digging deep into the pages of Death of A Salesman one sees that he could be judged reasonable. Miller used his sickness to build the play. Without Willy Loman and his erratic, irrational behavior the play would have no significance. 

Open Prompt #2

2009, Form B. Many works of literature deal with political or social issues. Choose a novel or play that focuses on a political or social issue. Then write an essay in which you analyze how the author uses literary elements to explore this issue and explain how the issue contributes to the meaning of the work as a whole. Do not merely summarize the plot.

        

        The turn of the century in America did not expunge the turmoil and underlying frustration consuming the vast lands.  Poverty, unpleasant working and living conditions, hopeless commonplace of the working class, and overwhelming corruption of the powerful, invaded the homes of numerous Americans. With his book The Jungle, written in 1906, Upton Sinclair hoped to uncover the dirty secrets running rampant in America, ruining lives and killing families.

         The story is about Jurgis Rudkus, a Lithuanian immigrant, and his struggling family. Sinclair was muckraker on a mission to expose the hardships immigrants were facing as well as revel the dangerous secrets of the meatpacking industry. He takes us into the lives of the Rudkus’, sending the reader on a heart-wrenching journey. His observations on the unfeasible horrid conditions and the cruel treatment of the less fortunate were put out to the public. At a time where social Darwinism influenced Americans’ opinions, something needed to be said. And that is exactly what Sinclair did.

         By using literary elements such as tone, language, and diction, Sinclair imprinted his message into the brains of all readers. His dark tone and vivid language transports the reader into Jurgis’ life, making every blow from the awful political creatures lurking behind the book feel like a blow to them. Using descriptive words that really stand out on the page and emphasize the deeper meaning instead of passive words help prove his point. By strictly using language, tone, and diction that reflect negativity and hardship, the reader has no option but to feel for the Rudkus’.

         Sinclair wrote The Jungle hoping to show how lives immigrants and those living in poverty were. Along with exposes every day life struggles, his exposure of the meat packing industry forced the government to pass The Federal Meat Inspection Act of 1906 and The Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906.

         Sinclair was a muckraking journalist on a mission to reveal the deep secrets that laid within the streets of the early 20^th century in America. With the use of his dark tone, diction, and language he proved his point to his readers and successfully influenced the passage of multiple laws for a happier, safer America. 

Open Prompt #1- 2010 Form B

2010, Form B. “You can leave home all you want, but home will never leave you.” —Sonsyrea Tate

Sonsyrea Tate’s statement suggests that “home” may be conceived of as a dwelling, a place, or a state of mind. It may have positive or negative associations, but in either case, it may have a considerable influence on an individual. Choose a novel or play in which a central character leaves home yet finds that home remains significant. Write a well-developed essay in which you analyze the importance of “home” to this character and the reasons for its continuing influence. Explain how the character’s idea of home illuminates the larger meaning of the work. Do not merely summarize the plot.

               Home is where the heart is and one’s heart is where their love it. In Mr. Gatsby’s case, home is with Daisy. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald perfectly illuminates Sonsyrea Tate’s statement that “You can leave home all you want, but home will never leave you.”  Mr. Gatsby’s tale is one of longing for his heart, his home, and his love.

             Gatsby was forced to leave his love behind when he was shipped off to war. As they both go on living their separate lives Gatsby discovers that his happiness lies in Daisy’s hands. Consequently, his life revolves around finding Daisy again. By throwing big parties hoping she will come, attempting to intrude on her marriage, and searching for her with every step he takes, he circulates every moment around returning to his home; his Daisy.  He knows that he will not be happy if he is not with Daisy; he knows that Daisy is his home. That overwhelming want to live his life with her makes it impossible for him to quit. With his desperate search, Gatsby proves that one will do just about anything to return to their home. Although one’s home differs from person to person, the longing one has to find it is overwhelming.

           Fitzgerald is a mastermind at disguising symbols, motifs, and messages throughout his words. Mr. Gatsby’s struggles throughout the story emulate the larger meaning of the novel. They make every scene a new chance, keeping the reader at the edge of their seat. The fact that throughout the whole story the mission is to re-spark the fire between Daisy and Gatsby makes the tone one of suspense, excitement, and curiosity. Being with Gatsby on his journey to win Daisy over forces the reader to feel some level of remorse for the poor soul who just wants his love back; his home back. Therefore, the ending, where Gatsby is found dead in his pool, makes the reader cringe with sadness and disgust, a reaction one may not have if they were not walking along side Gatsby on his mission.

     The Great Gatsby by F.Scott Fitzgerald reflects Sonsyrea Tate’s statement perfectly. His longing for Daisy is what made the story what it was. He knew his home was Daisy. Gatsby would not stop his fight until he made it back home.