Homework 6

 

 

 

 

BE SURE TO FOLLOW THE FILE-NAMING CONVENTIONS FOR THIS COURSE (5% penalty if you do not).

All files should be saved on your computer as: your last name, followed by an underscore ("_"), followed by the first two letters of your first name, followed by an underscore ("_"), followed by the assignment number. So if a student named Saddam Hussein were to submit assignment number 6, the file name would be:

hussein_sa_6.doc

 

 

Character Development Paper

In this week's reading (AVAILABLE UNDER "COURSE DOCUMENTS" IN BLACKBOARD) Marsha Kinder draws on a statement from David Simon, producer of The Wire, to explain the significance of the show's characters. She observes that The Wire is like no other television show because “the series is all about subtext (what's omitted) and the need to change policy. Yet we care deeply about these issues because of our emotional engagement with these characters who emerge from the ensemble cast” (p. 52). For this assignment you will select one of the characters you’ve been observing for your character journals to demonstrate the significance of the subtext (what's omitted) to the overall meaning of the series. After reviewing your notes, write a 500 - 700 page paper on either question A or question B below.


QUESTION A. Much like any good story, the conflicts/tensions/drama surrounding the characters in The Wire will relate to larger social themes the audience is familiar with. In your opinion, what familiar theme(s) does your character's most significant conflict relate to? (Man vs. Man, Man vs. Society, Man vs. Himself, Man vs. Nature, or Man vs. Fate/God). What is the nature of the conflict(s)--physical, intellectual, moral, emotional, or spiritual? Explain your position using evidence from the episodes you have viewed so far.


Or


QUESTION B. Does David Simon, the writer of this show, use this character to explore or reveal some aspect(s) of human nature or life? If so, what are they and what message is he sending the viewers? Explain your position using evidence from the episodes you have viewed so far. .

Be sure to organize your essay around a thesis that encapsulates your specific thesis. Likewise, be sure to use evidence in the form of direct quotations from The Wire and to structure your presentation of the evidence around the familiar Claim/Evidence/Warrant format. As always, be sure to keep your direct quotations to 10 or fewer words. See here on how to reduce quotations.

WE WILL GRADE YOUR ESSAYS ACCORDING TO A RUBRIC, SO LOOKING AT THE RUBRIC BEFORE WRITING YOUR PAPER WILL HELP YOU WRITE A BETTER PAPER AND GET A BETER GRADE. SEE RUBRIC HERE. (ms-word file delivered to your desktop).


"END OF ASSIGNMENT"