“The Elephant in the Village of the Blind
1. Choose a story from the Norton Introduction to Literature and read or re-read it.
Example: I liked the story “Good Country People” ; I’ll read it again.
I like” The Elephant in the Village of the Blind
2. React personally. What aspects of the story do you seem to be most affected by? You should look at more than one aspect. Example: I find when I look at how I reacted in my journal to this story, what I really liked about it was the way the plot developed. I was really surprised at the climax – when Manley took Hulga’s leg and left her stranded. It was funny yet sad at the same time
3. Determine the theme of the story. What is the main point? HINT: Try to complete this sentence: This story argues that … Example: One theme is that people are often not what they appear to be on the outside (Manley). Also, people are often not who they really think they are (Hulga, Mrs. Hopewell).
4. Connect #2 & 3: How do you see this aspect and the theme relating? Example: The theme is that people are often not as we expect them to be. The plot illustrates or supports this theme because the plot did not develop as I expected it to. At the climax, Manley shows that he is not “good country people,” and Hulga learns that she is not as smart as she thinks she is.
Now BRAINSTORM on this connection.
5. Devise a Thesis statement (one sentence): literary element(s) to be analyzed and the approach or direction of the analysis.
Example Thesis:
