Assignment 1-4-1

Assignment 1-4-1

• Which essay did you like better? Why? “I read Sarcophagus” and “An American Child” and my favorite was Sarcophagus. I have a very good imagination and reading things that are so graphic would not be considered one of my favorite pastimes, but the way it was written evoked many different emotions and kept my attention from start to finish.

• What were the emotions you felt as you read the two essays? Suspense, unease, joy, humor.

• How did they differ? Sarcophagus used creative writing to capture an audience, even when it did not follow conventional sentence structure. An American Child seemed to have a broad range of information included spread over a long time whereas Sarcophagus was focused on one event.

• What did you see as the main divisions of the essays? The main divisions of Sarcophagus are: The introduction of the main characters. Vivid descriptions as the operation takes place and the conflict the surgeon was having with the dilemma as it unfolded. The conclusion was after the patient was pronounced dead and the surgeon was reflecting with his student on what had just happened. In An American Child: The introduction of the stories characters, mainly the mother. Many stories to support what has been said about his mother and her characteristics. The final division was when they realized the benefits of what their mother taught them.

• How were abstract phrases used in each? Give one example not already used. In Sarcophagus:”As though it were milk flowing from the breasts of God”. In An American Child:”Whoever designed this corkscrew never used one.”

• How were concrete phrases used in each? Give one example not already used. In Sarcophagus:”And we heft him over using the sheet as a sling.” In An American Child:” During a family trip to the Highland Park Zoo, mother and I were alone for a minute.”