Assignment: In a well-written and thoughtful paper, compose an essay that:
Critically analyzes TWO quotes from Helena Maria Viramontes’ Under the Feet of Jesus. There should be some kind of thematic connection between the two
quotes.
Explains the larger, societal message the quotes/novel presents. This should go beyond a simple position on America’s immigration policies. Do the
concepts, warnings, or implied arguments of the novel resonant in our current world?
Basic Guidelines for the paper:
First, select your two quotes carefully. Make sure there is some kind of connection or progression that links the two quotes. You might also want to choose
quotes that we haven’t “beaten to death” in class.
Then, you will need to carefully and insightfully analyze the passages. Your analysis should be more than basic plot summary or a descriiption of the work.
You are dissecting the text to understand what it is implying/arguing, about the characters, about the ethics of the situation, or about the choices made
during this time. Utilize the examples (10-on-1) and techniques we practiced in class. Examine the text for key symbols, key lines, key word choices, or
important style/content choices.
Finally, you should be asserting some larger argument through your essay. It is imperative that you link/connect the text with our modern world. Often
literature serves as social commentary on the world. What are these quotes and this novel arguing? What commentary does it make about our society?
Consider the follow questions when analyzing the novel (although you do not have to address all of them):
What implied argument is the novel making? What commentary does it make on the American Dream? The nature of diversity, culture, race, discrimination, or
economics in America? You don’t have to address all of these issues (or any of them), but you need to approach both works from a larger, more significant
perspective.
Is the novel relevant to today’s society, to the lives we lead today? What warnings can we take from the novel? What guidelines or instructions does it provide
for creating a “more perfect society”?
Audience: Your audience has read Helena Maria Viramontes’ Under the Feet of Jesus once.
Guidelines: Your essay should be approximately 5-6 typed, double-spaced pages and comply with MLA format. You MUST include a works cited page at the
end.
Additional Requirements:
— Have a clear, effective organizational pattern.
–Provide a clear thesis statement.
–Craft an engaging, effective introduction.
–Utilize specific evidence from the text.
–Provide clear, effective analysis (your own views and voice) on these quotes. This is not a simple plot summary. What point/argument can you provide
through these quotes?
–Write focused, unified, coherent paragraphs.
–Construct clear, effective sentences.
–Incorporate powerful, effective word choice
–Edit your work.–Cite your textual usage.
–Cite and document any outside or additional sources you use for background information.
OR
Option #2:
Instead of the earlier prompt I provided, you can choose THIS prompt/assignment instead. You still need to utilize at least TWO specific (or more) sections of
the novel as proof.
At a local Southern California public high school (with a diverse population of students) a controversy is building. A very popular, successful, experienced
teacher of 10th grade AP English is teaching a book that a few parents are displeased with—Helena Maria Viramontes’ 1995 novel, Under the Feet of Jesus.
These parents object to a number of issues with the book, arguing that the novel is anti-family, anti-American, profane, offensive, and promoting critical race
theory.
As a prominent member of the local school board, you are asked to vote on whether or not the novel is appropriate/inappropriate for the upcoming term. You
must use EXACT evidence from the novel and at least ONE outside source to support your argument. Your task is to defend/reject the novel’s
implementation into classroom curriculum and instruction. This is the argument you are making to the School Board, the community, and to the school