English 208

Dr. Martin

Final Exam Guidelines

Out of Class Part:

Select four historical periods--either 3 western and 1 non-western, or 3 non-western and 1 western.   Complete a written over-view of these four periods focused on ONE of the following three topics:

1.   Role of faith, spirituality.

2.   Role of women

3.   the major literary forms and genres and their role in the culture

The overview should be followed by a brief comparison/contrast of the topic you have covered for the four periods.  You will turn this assignment in at the final exam.  You should consult the group presentations as well as the introductions in your books as sources for the overviews.  Length:  typed, 2-3 Pages, MLA format, no works cited required, but you will submit this portion of your exam to turnitin, so please translate information into your own words, or quote correctly and give credit within the essay.

In-class Essay Choices:

Please be prepared for all three essay questions, although for the final exam I will choose two for you to answer:

1.    There is a taboo  against tragedy in Sanskrit drama and the prominence  of tragedy in Greek drama. How has Kalidasa molded the plot of Sakuntala in order to ensure the requisite happy ending of Sanskrit drama? Compare the relationship between Sakantula and her father with that of Antigone and Creon.

2.    In the Popol Vuh, the twins destroy their enemies "only through self-transformation."  How do they do this?  Compare the use of disguise and impersonation in the careers of other characters you have read about this semester, including Odysseus, Son-Jara, and characters in A Thousand and One Nights. You may also include Dante, although his self-transformation is more internal than external because his journey is about saving his soul.

3.    Do a comparative analysis of the warrior-hero figure in Son-Jara and other texts we have discussed this semester, especially Gilgamesh, Achilles, and Aeneas.