Choose a different author from the list of authors below (a-d) for each of the three questions for this week’s writing. There are four authors and three questions, so you will only choose three of the four authors.
a. Paul Laurence Dunbar b. Zora Neal Hurston c. Tecumseh d. Richard Wright
1. How would you describe the protagonist in the work of your first author? Name three of the protagonists most important characteristics and supply examples from the poems or story that support your idea. Do you find the protagonist (s) sympathetic? Is he/she a victim?
2. Choose a different author. Using the definitions from the course materials, discuss how the idea of naturalism or modernism is depicted in your authors work. Give examples of the particular period you find in the story or poems. Do you see any historical or scientific elements from the early half of the 20th century in the piece? Is the structure traditional or an act of rebellion?
3. Choose another author. What is the conflict in your third choice? Is it resolved? Why or why not? You may feel this entry needs to be about Wright, but the poets might be more exciting to write about in terms of conflict. For example: What is the conflict behind Dunbars poetry? Is Hurstons piece about her inner conflict?