Return of the Native Final Exam

Return of the Native Final Exam You choose two of these writing prompts and write a comprehensive response. A multi-paragraph response with a clear topic sentence connected to the prompt is adequate. These are NOT essays that require introduction with thesis statement.

Due by 11:59 Wednesday, April 15, 2015. I will not be here to remind you to submit. Also, beginning Monday, April 13 – we are starting a new novel-you will not be given time in class.

You must to submit to turnitin.com. You may turn in a hard copy if you like, but it is optional. However, if you do not submit to turnitin.com, but give me a hard copy on the due date, it will be a subtraction of 50% + the overall grade. If you do not submit to either, it will be a 0.

In a well-organized writing response (typed MLA formatted/MLA citation), examine two of the following writing prompts.

1. Recurring Patterns: Choose two in your paragraph to examine.  Humans’ tendencies to want what seems unattainable and procrastinating important actions.  The vast Egdon Heath surrounding the characters and being completely impassive about their fates  Extreme pride (Long-distance walks seem to permeate the novel)  Jumping to conclusions

2. If you had to choose a primary character in this novel, who would it be? Is the book mostly about Clym's struggle to find meaning and vocation in life, or is it mostly about Eustacia's desire to escape the heath for a more romantic life? Make sure to have a good argument to support your opinion.

3. The characters’ lives revolve around Egdon Heath; however, Egdon Heath does not seem to revolve around the various characters. In a well-constructed writing response, briefly describe Egdon Heath and examine a minimum of three significant events surrounding the characters in the story and analyze how Hardy interjects and describes how the Heath parallels those significant moments.

4. One theme in The Return of the Native is that the object of one's affection is seen as a possession. Analyze the meaning behind this thematic idea and offer examples from the novel to illustrate this idea. Moreover, how does this view of love affect the relationships between the characters?

5. The presentation of the character of Diggory Venn is full of ambiguity. In a well-constructed writing response, explain what it means to be ambiguous and then examine how this character is ambiguous? How does this ambiguity affect the reader's view of him? Does he grow less or more ambiguous throughout the novel? Does he stay the same? Make sure to thoroughly explore this idea.

6. The novel's protagonist is Clym. Analyze Clym. Why is he considered the protagonist? How does he change and develop as a character as the novel progresses? 7. Another interesting theme in this novel is that seemingly minor causes have great effects. Offer two examples of minor causes. Explore the effects of those minor events and how do these seemingly insignificant events at the beginning of the novel lead to tragedy and great change at the end?

8. Eustacia is a very beautiful woman. In a well-organized response, describe the relationship Eustacia has with men. In addition, what do the women think of Eustacia and how does her beauty affect her as a person and have a hand in her demise?

9. The author's approach to revealing each character is unique. In a well-organized response, analyze how Hardy conveys this. Do the characters seem real or contrived? Examine this idea and illustrate how these characters compare to other Victorian literary figures?

10. The only two people to reach a happy conclusion are Diggory and Thomasin. In a well-organized response, examine how they are happy? Analyze why are they the only two who are truly happy? What message does this send to the reader?

Make sure you have all of the proper elements of a paragraph. Also, make sure YOU USE ANALYSIS. Your analysis should support your topic. Do not make it redundant analysis either.