For Wednesday 5/27: Discussion of essay #3: Two paragraph abstract due

English 247: The Woman Writer

          Essay #3:  The Buddha in the Attic: Due 6/3

The third and final essay will be a discussion of Julie Otsuka’s novel The Buddha in the Attic.  Please write a minimum of 600 words in response to one of the questions written below. As with your previous essays, this paper must be titled, paginated, and double-spaced. Late essays are penalized. Your essay will be graded on how well you discuss the question and supply evidence from the text.  As with your blogs, you must quote at least once from the text. Please remember to introduce quotes and comment on them once you have quoted. Make sure to document page numbers when you quote and refer to the chapter titles when discussing specific parts of the novel. Grammar and sentence structure should also be as error-free as possible. Proofread the essay very carefully before you hand it in.  You will not be able to rewrite this essay. For additional help on the paper you should make an appointment to see me or visit the Writing Center (B 200).

1)   Much of The Buddha in the Attic focuses on the idea of “disappearance.” For example, the women feel themselves psychically disappearing as they labor in their husbands’ fields and find themselves physically disappearing when they are forced to leave their homes as America enters the Second World War. Discuss this idea of “disappearance.” Point to specific examples from the text.

2)   A number of times the women reflect upon how they should never have left Japan to come to America. Do you agree or disagree with this reflection?  Use the text to back up your discussion.

3)   Otsuka researched and wrote her novel to share with her 21^st century readers the experiences of early 20^th century Japanese women immigrants. What does this novel teach us about the dreams and dilemmas of these immigrant women?  Use specific examples from the text to back up your discussion.

4)   What do the women learn about America and Americans? Discuss some of the women’s encounters with “whites.” Then consider the relevance of these experiences to America and Americans today. Use specific incidents in the text to back up your discussion. 

5)   Discuss the themes of shame and forgiveness in the novel.  Use specific examples from the text to back up your discussion.

All questions are welcome!