Expert answer:Section 9: “Create”: THE FINAL ASSIGNMENT WORKSHOP
Expert answer:SHORT FICTION: The Art of the TaleENGL-315Final AssignmentProbably the most effective way to demonstrate your understanding of the short story form is to create a story yourself. For this assignment you will be writing an homage to one of the authors/stories we have read this semester.
“Homage is a show or demonstration of respect or dedication to someone or something, sometimes by simple declaration but often by some more oblique reference, artistic or poetic. The term is often used in the arts for where one author or artist shows respect to another by allusion or imitation; this is often treated and pronounced as the French hommage.”Your story should demonstrate ALL of the craft techniques displayed in published short stories: an understanding of plot {see Aristotle’s Plot Diagram or Freytag’s Plot Diagram}, character development {Be sure to use Forester’s methods of character development}, point of view {pick ONE point of view and stay in it throughout your story!}, and setting development {make certain your setting is integral to the story—readers should say that your story could not have taken place anywhere else!}, as well as a solid theme that is not clichéd or trite {the best themes arise from the story itself—you should NOT state your theme directly within the story!}. Your story should also use figurative language, imagery, and symbolism. In other words, you are trying not only to create a story that holds your reader’s interest, but that also CLEARLY demonstrates that you know the techniques required for literary short fiction.Your Create Assignment should also include a 350 word Critical Reflection on the writing of your story which discusses the following:Your goals for this creative piece: What story are you trying to parody? Which elements of the story are you focusing on and attempting to draw attention to? Explain what you want your audience to experience through your parody. Your use of specific techniques to accomplish these goals: What story elements that have been discussed this semester (plot, character development, etc.) are you using to create this story?How and where do you see your story in conversation with the work you have chosen to parody? Do you think your work compliments or is critical certain elements of the story? Do you see your story challenging the existing story or collaborating with it? If so, how? Your Critical Reflection will be worth 25% of the grade of your final writing assignment, so please be sure to take your time on this assignment and include it with your final draft.A rough draft of this assignment will be due to the discussion board by the posted due date. You will then have one day to provide critical feedback to three of your peers, and then you will have to use that feedback to revise your final draft.Let’s also try to remember that this is supposed to be a fictional writing assignment, and when we respond to our peers’ work, we should assume that it is fictional and not autobiographical. I have provided several examples of successful parodies from previous semesters for you to see.As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.
parody_of_desiree_s_baby.docx
parody_of_girl.docx
parody_of_girl2.docx
parody_of_hills_like_white_elephants.docx
parody_of_story_of_an_hour.docx
Unformatted Attachment Preview
Final Create Assignment
The Get Away
Young love is always something that is looked upon in one of two ways. It’s either cute and
sappy or naive. And that’s it. But what if when you were young, you did fall in love? Ella did
and maybe it was a little cute and a tad naïve at the same time. Five years down the road, her
vision about this twitter-pating love would be completely different.
Married at eighteen. Two rowdy sons and two weeks late for her period; she never expected any
of this at the age of twenty two. All she did was clean and cook and clean more. Her days were
long and she had little help from her husband who worked long hours in a mine. She had wanted
to go to college and become a teacher. Now she relies on a man to pay all the bills and run the
house while she runs around cleaning, cooking, and changing diapers. Unhappy was an
understatement to describe how she felt.
How could she change things now? More than ever, Ella felt stuck. She felt like she was never
going to be able to be her own person, like she had always dreamed. Until one night.
Ella was up late. She had just finished the dishes from dinner and was finishing the folding of
the last load of laundry. No one was awake. The babies were long ago put to bed, and her
husband had fallen asleep right after dinner from a hard, long day at work.
Ella’s companion was a little, red dappled doxie who followed her around and stayed by her feet
when she was up late. Sleeping next to the laundry folding table, the calm little doxie jumped up
and ran over to the window. Ella figured the neighbor’s cat was getting into the garbage again.
But the dog never gave up at the window and began to whine.
Ella went over to the door to let the dog out. As she opened the door, a strange fog crept into the
house. The little dog ran out and as Ella stepped out the door, she couldn’t believe what she saw.
A hot air balloon sat in her yard waiting for a passenger to board. The multi-colored balloon was
high into the air and a flame was filling the balloon with heat. Ella stood staring, stunned. The
little doxie didn’t hesitate to investigate; she ran toward the balloon with her nose down.
Ella followed the doxie over to the balloon. She circled the balloon and felt the bumps of the
weaved, wicker basket with her worn out hands. She began to wonder how the balloon had
gotten there and where, if she were to get in, it would take her.
Without warning the little doxie jumped in the basked fastened to the large balloon. Ella scolded
the pup and called for her to get out of the basket, but the dog didn’t lift her nose from sniffing at
a box inside.
Ella quickly decided to reach in a grab the dog, but to be able to grab her she had to step inside
the basket. One foot stepped in, then the other. When Ella bent down to grab the dog she felt the
basket give a little quake. It became unsteady as it lifted off the ground.
Ella became startled, but for some reason, she didn’t try to escape. She just looked down at the
ground getting farther away.
As she rose up along the side of her house, she looked into the windows on the second floor. In
one she saw two sons sleeping soundly with toys all around the room. In the other she saw her
husband asleep with the blanket pulled over his head. From outside, Ella heard the soft murmur
of the little fan on her husband’s nightstand. He slept with that running every night.
Ella looked down and the little dog was standing on her hind legs trying to see over the edge of
the basket. Ella picked her up. There was a cool breeze blowing through her hair and she saw
only a few houses with lights still on at this late hour.
As Ella looked around she began to wonder where she was going. Where would this mysterious
balloon take her? With slight excitement, she thought of a beautiful far off land. She wondered
why she wasn’t sad about leaving. She had no clue if she would ever come back. She didn’t
even worry about it.
With a yawn, Ella decided she was probably going to have a long ride and should get her rest so
she could be energized by the time she reached her surprise landing location. Taking the last
glimpse at the shrinking houses and fading tree tops, she sat down in the bottom of the basket
and released the puppy. Sitting down she re-noticed the box in the corner that the dog was
sniffing earlier.
Pulling the box toward her, she lifted the lid to see what is inside. She pulled out a soft quilt and
admired the beautiful detail in the repeating square pattern of white and blue floral squares.
Under the quilt was an assortment of her favorite treats: chocolates, fresh fruits, Italian bread,
cheeses and a bottle of wine. In one corner was another cloth item that Ella pulled out. It was a
beautiful pink sundress with a soft silk ribbon around the waste. Ella couldn’t stop admiring it.
It was nicer than anything she had in her closet at home. One last thing lay in the box; a little
white bone with DOLLY, the dog’s name, printed on it. It was for the little doxie; it was what
she was sniffing at when she first jumped in.
Ella realized that the balloon being on her yard was no accident. It was meant for her. Someone
had seen her stress and struggle and disappointment in herself and had sent a balloon to take her
away from it all. With a smile, Ella tossed Dolly her bone and wrapped herself in the plush quilt
and rested her eyes.
͠
Smelling salty air and hearing the soft sound of distant seagull calls, Ella woke up. Dolly was
sleeping curled up with her personalized bone. Rubbing her eyes, Ella stood up to see where she
was. She could feel the balloon start to descend, but couldn’t see what was below her because of
a thick cloud cover.
As she went lower, the clouds started to disperse. Slowly, Ella started to notice a beach and
could hear water washing the shore. She noticed the off-white sand and palm trees. She was
overwhelmed with excitement to land. Her family had not crossed her mind once.
As the balloon reached the ground, Ella packed her quilt away and changed into her sundress.
Dolly watched on not knowing what the excitement was for because she couldn’t see over the
edge of the basket.
With a thud, the basket landed. Ella through open the wicker door and stepped into the sunwarmed sand; Dolly followed. Ella moved her toes back and forth letting the sand move
between them. She headed for the water; all she could see was water out in front of her. She let
it wash over her feet then legs, belly then chest as she walked deeper and deeper. She couldn’t
take the smile off her face. Dolly waited on shore and swatted at a passing hermit crab.
As Ella returned to shore she could see a hut up the beach and the beautiful jungle that engulfed
the island. She went over to the balloon to get her basket and she dragged it toward the hut.
Dolly was following her and wouldn’t stray far, uncertain of her surroundings.
The door of the hut was beads. It held a beautiful bed, more food and lovely clothes all in Ella’s
size. She hoped to stay there forever. She assumed if she got back in the balloon it would take
her home. She was not ready to go home and didn’t know if she ever would be.
What was Ella going to do on this island with only a little dog to take care of? Anything she
wanted. She let her hair down, grabbed her fresh snacks and went outside to lounge in the sand.
Ella had never been to a place like this and never felt more relaxed before.
The heat was warm, not dry, not humid, and there was a cool breeze that blew her hair along her
soft face. Dolly was rolling in the sand, making Ella giggle. She had found a book in the hut
and was able to read it without the interruption of kids crying or of buzzers going off on the
laundry, dish washer, or oven. The peacefulness was bliss, but became a little uncomfortable for
Ella. The chaos was all she had known for years, and now there was nothing.
Ella quickly became bored. She had no kids to chase after and no meals to prepare. The smell of
her husband was nowhere on the island. She thought of how much he would love this place.
She thought she was crazy to think that she was unhappy in such a beautiful carefree place. Ella
went and found a stick to toss for Dolly to occupy her time.
Feeling like she had had enough of this paradise Ella went back to her cabin and got her basket.
She dragged it back to the balloon and entered hoping it would lift off the ground and take her
home. She actually missed her husband and kids so quickly it actually shocked her. After
several minutes, the balloon still hadn’t moved. Ella didn’t know what to do. She realized that
taking care of her family was what she wanted to do and was meant to do, even though it wasn’t
her plan from the start. But now what was she going to? The balloon wouldn’t move and she
couldn’t get it to move.
It would do no good to stay in the balloon so she headed back to the hut to look for a way to get
home. On her way she walked down by the water. She could see little blue fish and admired the
little impressions Dolly’s paws made in the sand. At least she had Dolly.
Ahead of her in the sand she saw something shine. She dug it out of the sand and washed it in
the water. It was a soft pink little shell, almost heart shaped with ridges on one side and smooth
on the other. She loved this shell and placed it in a little pocket in her sundress.
Back at the hut, the sun was high and getting hot. Ella refreshed herself with cold sparkling
water and laid down on the bed, with the cool feather down blanket. Dolly laid in front of the
beaded door and chewed on her bone.
Ella had accidentally drifted off to sleep in what she thought, at first when she landed, was the
most beautiful and perfect place for her.
͠
Ella began to stir and when she opened her eyes she was shocked to see that she wasn’t in her
island hut, but leaning on the laundry folding table and the clock on the wall ticked four o’clock
in the morning.
Dolly was also asleep at her feet, but between her paws was a white bone with her name on it.
Ella stood up and rubbed her belly where she was expecting a new baby to be growing and felt a
strange bump. Looking down she reached into her apron pocket and pulled out a little pink shell.
She didn’t know what to think or say as she headed up stairs to lie down next to her husband.
Her boys were sound asleep and her husband rolled over to her as she lied down. He asked her
out of the blue if she loved where the balloon had taken her. How did he know? Without her
answering he said he was glad she had come back and he placed a shell on her chest and rolled
over and went back to sleep.
In the morning the chaos resumed, Dolly licked the young boys’ feet as they sat in their high
chairs for breakfast. Ella and her husband never talked about the hot air balloon after that night;
just shared a loving smile as he left for work. Both were happy with their crazy life and happy to
have each other in it, keeping their separate nighttime escapes a secret.
Mother
Wake up 5:55. Six o’clock on the dot take your medications. Next take a shower. Don’t forget to use
soap and shampoo. Mom are you listening to me? After you are done with your shower make some
breakfast. Don’t forget to add water to your oatmeal before you cook it. Cook your oatmeal for 3
minutes in the microwave; be careful picking it up the bowl may be hot. Have a glass of Orange juice
with your breakfast. Take the rest of the medications the doctor prescribed for you with your meal.
Don’t forget your daily vitamin as well. Check your monthly planner to see if you have any doctor’s
appointments. I will be over to pick you up at eleven to take you out to lunch; be sure to dress warmly
because it is getting colder outside. Noon take another dose of your medications. Don’t spend all your
day sitting and watching the television. Make sure to do your daily exercises the physical therapist is
coming over at three o’clock; be nice to her she is only doing her job. Please don’t go outside the
ground’s going to be slippery. The maid comes every Tuesday and Thursday you don’t have to worry
about cleaning. Remember last time you threw your back out mopping. This is how you make doukona.
This is how you turn on the computer. This is how you check your phone messages. Are you paying
attention to what I am saying mother. This is how you delete unwanted messages off your answering
machine. Saturday I will be over to do your laundry I don’t want you throwing out your back again. I will
be picking you up Sunday to go to church. This is how you button up your Sunday shirt. This is how you
tie your shoes. I have the plants on a self-watering system please don’t try to water the plants by lifting
the heavy watering pitcher. I know you don’t like using your walker but please use it; I don’t want you to
fall and hurt yourself. This is what to do if you do fall and you cannot get up. This is how you reheat the
frozen dinners I give you. Make sure you check the dates don’t eat anything expired. Eat the whole
portion don’t throw any food away, that’s just wasteful. Don’t forget to take your last dose of your
medications with dinner. Are you still listening to me? This is how you make ginger tea. Ginger tea helps
keep you warm and is also good when you think you are starting to catch a cold. This is how you make
good medicine for a cold. This is how you change the toilet paper when you run out in the bathroom.
This is how you zip up your jacket, because it’s cold outside. This is how use the set a proper table. This
is how to make a pepper pot. This is where you put the old newspapers. This is how you get rid of junk
mail. This is how you call a taxi if I am unable to help you. This is what to do with your garbage bag once
it’s full; don’t lift it, it’s going to be heavy I don’t want you throwing out your back again. This is how to
set your alarm clock so you wake up in time to take your medications. This is how you brush your teeth
before bed. This is how store your dentures at night. This is how you say your prayers before bed. This is
how to make your bed after you get up. This is how to turn the heat up in the house if you’re cold. This
is how to behave when you are at the doctors. This is how to hold your grandson. This is how to make
him smile. This is how to talk with your grandchildren in the room. This is how you behave with the
children around. This is say goodbye to your grandchildren. This is how to be there for them when they
grow older. This is how to support them when they graduate, get married and start their own families.
This is how to be a good great-grandmother. This is how to know when everything is alright and it’s time
for you to fall asleep.
Manchild
Change the baby’s diaper as soon as she wakes up and use Desitin; change her out of her pajamas and
put fresh clothes on her; keep her eyes away from the morning sun, they’re to sensitive; warm the baby’s bottle
in warm water; soak the bottles and nipples from the previous night; make sure the bottle you’re using doesn’t
have old milk in it, because that would be really gross; thaw the milk overnight in the refrigerator before you
warm it; is it true you play Xbox when she naps?; On Mondays try and be sober at story time and not like the
drunk you are so bent on becoming; don’t play Xbox while the baby naps; you mustn’t talk to Mrs. Piazza, not
even in the laundry room; don’t leave the windows open-mosquitos will bite the baby; but I only play Xbox
after all the laundry is folded and never before unloading the dishwasher; this is how you peal the carrots; this
is how you boil the carrots you just pealed; this is how to look through the classifieds to find a job and to
prevent yourself from being the drunk I know you are so bent on becoming; this is how you wash the windows
so they don’t have streaks; this is how you wash the mirrors so they don’t have streaks; this is how you rinse the
mop bucket – away from the baby, because the vapors can be deadly; when you are baking cookies, make sure
you use plenty butter or else they’ll stick to the sheet; this is how you paint a wall; this is how you paint the
living room; this is how you paint a house; this is how you treat your family; this is how you treat your friends;
this is how you treat your enemies; this is how you make potatoes for snack; this is how you make potatoes for
dinner; this is how you make potatoes for her mother; this is how you make potatoes for lunch; this is how you
make potatoes for breakfast; this is the way you should act around her father; and this way he won’t recognize
immediately the drunk I have warned you about becoming; be sure to take out the trash every day, even if it
kills you; don’t look at other girl’s rears – you are a father, you know; don’t steal the neighbors news paper –
you might get caught; don’t let the dog eat the apples from the yard, they might be poisonous; this is how you
make chili, this is how you make chicken cutlets; this is how you make an omelet; this is how you make vinegar
cleaning solution for the counters; this is how make vinegar solution for the floors; this is how you catch a
lightening bug for your daughter; this is how you let a lightening bug you can’t keep go, and this way your
daughter can learn to let go; this is how you love you children; this his how your children love you; this is how
you love her mother and if you can’t be together then it is ok and you must move on; this is how you scream if
you need to; this is how you scream into a pillow this way no one hears you; this is the way you accept the hand
you were dealt; this is how you hug your daughter to let her know you love her; but what I she won’t let me
near her; you mean to tell me you’re going to be the kind of father who’s not his daughter’s hero?
“Tears of a Crocodile”
The skies were blue with white, fluffy clouds interspersed. Hancock airport was humming with the buzz
of passengers waiting to check into their flights. Like ants carrying food to their queen, they rushed
around the airport carrying their luggage, undisturbed with what the rest of the world was doing.
“It’s such a beautiful day out today. I suppose there was no reason for us to get here so early;
my flight won’t be delayed” the woman said as she sat down at a bench facing the window.
“Yes, I suppose not” said the man as he put down her luggage and sat next to her.
“What will you do when I’m gone?”
“Clean the house. Go see my mother. I don’t know.”
“If it stays this beautiful out all weekend, you could work on the garden or go golfing with Tom.”
“Yes, I probably will go golfing with Tom.”
He stared out the window as she glanced at her cellphone for what seemed the hundredth time that
day.
“That cloud looks like a crocodile crying.”
“A crocodile crying? What an odd thing to say, Mark.”
“When will you be back?”
“Soon, I promise.”
“You said you would be back soon the last time.”
“And I was back soon.”
“You were gone for two months.”
“The home office had me tied up doing all sorts of things in Boston.”
“Yes, I remember you telling me that.”
A man and a woman walked past their bench at a fast tempo. She had on a long, green skirt with a tight
fitting tank top. He had on khaki shorts with one of those unbelievably ugly Hawaiian-like flower print
shirts and sandals. They were holding hands and on occasion they would look into each other’s eyes,
temporarily blind to what was in front of them.
“I hope the weather is this nice in Boston.”
“Is there a lot to do there when you have free time?”
“Well, it’s just like any thriving city. There are all sorts of shops that I can go to. It’s nice to take a
walk down by the harbor. My favorite thing to do is to walk the Freedom Trail.”
� …
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