Choose ONE and only one of the following questions. Answer it in a complete and thoughtful essay. Your essay should be a well-developed, clear, logical and complete idea developed from a definite thesis statement. Use the texts when necessary to support your answer, but do not merely summarize plot. Your paper should be 5-7 pages in length; no fewer than 5 full pages will suffice, and more than that is probably necessary to completely answer these questions.

Essays must be either typed on a typewriter or printed from a computer–12 point Times New Roman font, double-spaced. This paper is due on Wednesday, April 14. Papers handed in late will receive a one grade deduction for each day/class late. I will be happy to look at drafts. In fact, I encourage you to come in with a draft and/or send e-mail with questions. I will look at drafts until 3pm on April 12.

You must, by noon of the day the paper is due, also upload a copy of your paper to turnitin.com following the process outlined in class.

Read the questions carefully. Support all answers with examples from the texts, but do not merely summarize plot–analyze!

1) One might argue that Nathanael West’s The Day of the Locust is a satire of America. Using a good literary definition for satire (such as the one distributed in class), argue that West’s novel either is or is not a satire. Remember that the novel was published in 1939 and is a reaction to very specific period of time in American history. You might also consider (in some small way) whether the novel might also satirize contemporary America (i.e., in 2004).

2) Horse Feathers is a satire of higher education. Using a good literary definition for satire (such as the one distributed in class), argue for the satirical nature of the film.

3) Charlie Chaplin is satirizing the rise of technology in the modern world in Modern Times. Using a good literary definition for satire (such as the one distributed in class), write an essay that clearly notes the satirical elements in Chaplin’s film.

4) One critic has argued that "In Modern Times, Chaplin throws his own artistic individuality against the enormous brutality of the machine; he becomes the transcendent clog." Write a essay in which either agree or disagree with this quotation, using specifics in the film to support your argument. This is not the low-carb choice.

5) The Gods Must Be Crazy is more a parody of modern life and modern technology than a satire. When it was first released, in 1980, it was the highest-grossing foreign film of all time. In a well-written essay, explain what was/is so interesting and or attractive about the film for an American audience.

6) Compare and contrast the attitudes towards technology in Modern Times and The Gods Must Be Crazy.