The Broken Cord.
“The Chase” by Moravia“Life Boat Ethics” by Hardin“The Things They
Carried” by O’BrienReview of “The Broken Cord” by Michael DorrisThe examples you read all argue for an
opinion held by the author. The opinion may not be stated outright, but rather implied. Based on the essays and
stories, you may choose from twelve writing topics. Each topic asks that you argue for a position of your own.
Your paper should have at least 500 words (two pages double spaced, typed). Anywhere from 500 to 1000
words is acceptable, but more than that is also ok if the extra length is needed (not “fluff”). In this essay, include
at least two outside sources that support your opinion and/or any points you make in your essay. Use MLA
documentation style to cite your sources. I have helpful MLA resources linked in our Canvas class shell.
them in your paper. Also, Wikipedia and other encyclopedia type sources do not count. Look for high quality, in
depth, scholarly, reliable sources. You may use the FSCJ databases, or online sources that pass the CRAAP
test. Use Turnitin to submit this paper. Be aware of due dates/times.“The Things They Carried” by Tim
O’Brien1) How is the idea of weight used and developed in the story? How do you, as a reader, feel reading
those lists of weight? What effect does it have on you? Argue whether or not you think this was an effective
way to tell the reader about the author’s experience of the realities of war.2) How has Jimmy changed by the
end of the story? How will he be a different person from this point on? What has he learned about himself? Or
to put it another way, what has he lost and what has he gained? Argue for your opinion as to the change that
occurs in this protagonist. Please be careful
that you do NOT simply restate what was given in the story. You can assume the person reading your essay is
familiar with the story.3) Do you think O’Brien is making (via his story) a statement about his feelings and
opinions towards war? If you do, what do you think the statement is? You must support you answer with as
many examples as you can find in the text of the story.“Life Boat Ethics” by Garrett Hardin4]“My own (Elizabeth
Redwine’s) two cents is that although Hardin is right about the fact that there are limits to what the earth can
sustain, we hear nothing about the over-consumption in our own and many other cultures, particularly Western
cultures. If he is going to talk about problems of immigration and overpopulation of so called third world
countries as the root of ecological disaster, he might also look at the cultural trend in our country of private jets,
wasted food, and unlimited consumption. What do you think? You are welcome to disagree with me and/or
Hardin. For this answer, find one or more outside sources on the issues he raises.” (I found this question,
written by Elizabeth Redwine, via a Google search)5] What errors in logic can be found in Hardin’s “Lifeboat
Ethics”? For this question, you would need to examine each argument/claim he makes, decide which ones you
think are in error, and then explain each error, and why you see it as such.“The Chase” by Alberto Moravia6]
The author of this story, Moravia, is quoted as saying once that “Sex in the enemy of love”. In this story, the
wife (described as a “good” person by her husband) becomes wild again, and the husband tells us “wildness,
always and everywhere, is directed against everything and everyone.” For these reasons, instead of
confronting his wife with her adultery, he turns and walks away. Do you think he did the right thing? Consider
the two quotes mentioned above in your analysis/response.
Review of “The Broken Cord” (a book written by Michael Dorris)
7-12] Following is a quote from the book review of “The Broken Cord” by Dorris. This passage raises some
hard questions, but offers no answers. IF you are interested, you can choose ONE question to tackle in this
essay. More than one would not be “do-able” !! I inserted the numbers myself (they are not in the article you
read).Mr. Dorris also raises and struggles with, but cannot answer, some Solomonic questions:7) what should
communities do with pregnant women who insist on drinking? 8) How can society possibly protect an unborn
child against maternal behavior that is not only legal almost everywhere, but almost impossible to prevent
anywhere? 9) Should such women be incarcerated? 10) Should mothers of fetal alcohol children be sterilized if
they intend to keep drinking and reproducing? 11) Can civil rights be abrogated for the protection of the
unborn? 12) Should liquor companies be held liable for these damaged children if adequate warnings are not
on their products?
Sample Solution
Presidency in action
The president is both the head of state and head of government, as well as Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. The constitution explicitly assigns the president the power to sign or veto legislation, command the armed forces, ask for written opinion of their cabinet, convene or adjourn Congress, grant reprieves and pardons, and receive ambassadors. Presidential power has increased over time, not because of changes in constitution, but because of America’s growth as a nation, its emergence as a dominant actor in international politics, the expansion of the federal government, and various acts of legislation that have given new authority to the president. Perhaps the most important of all presidential powers is command of the United States Armed Forces as commander-in-chief. While the power to declare war is constitutionally vested in Congress, the president commands and directs the military and is responsible for planning military strategy. He is also responsible for the protection of Americans abroad and of foreign nationals in the United States.
