“An Uplifting Ending”
To pass the time in tropical South Bend, I have organized a friendly reading group. There are four people in our group. One member, Jesse, is not a particularly educated guy and he has seen his share of trouble. Still, Jesse’s a good-hearted young man who consistently tries to find reason for hope in life. In contrast, another member, Walt, has an inflated ego—indeed, he is a genius who was part of a team that won the Nobel Prize!—and he has become profoundly cynical with age. I have to be on guard when Jesse and Walt get together. Although they have run a very lucrative business together (Walt has an MBA from a nearby business school), they have an on-again, off-again turbulent relationship. Fortunately, I also have you, our fourth member, to rely upon. As someone who is smart, insightful, and uncannily diplomatic, you always know how to calm the room when Walt and Jesse come to blows.
Tonight, we are discussing two superb short stories, Jean-Paul Sartre’s “The Wall” and Flannery O’Connor’s “The Lame Shall Enter First.” At first, the discussion seems to be going well. But, when we come to the topic below, the tension rises perceptibly between Jesse and Walt.
Jesse says: “I found ‘The Lame Shall Enter First’ surprisingly uplifting. Certainly, this story has much more to offer humanity than Sartre’s sorry tale.”
Walt listens in disbelief, squints his eyes, and then replies indignantly: “Jesse, you’re just as ignorant as when I failed you in Chemistry! A boy dies by suicide in O’Connor’s story. At least in “The Wall,” Pablo lives to see another day.
I can see where this exchange is going, and it will not end well. Rather than risk alienating my two friends, I decide to pass the buck to you. I ask you: “Who is right about which story is more uplifting, Jesse or Walt? And please don’t waffle. I want a firm and unequivocal answer, and I want it now!”
With whom do you side, Jesse or Walt?
Assignment: Your challenge is to defend one position against the other. Using only these two readings to support your argument, commit yourself firmly to either Jesse’s or Walt’s position. Just as in our class debate, you should state both your argument and the argument an opponent will likely use against you. Your job is to convince your reader that you are right and the other person is wrong.
NOTE: You are writing one paper, not two papers. Make sure you are answering this question and not some other question you would rather answer. Use evidence from your readings. Yet be concise and to the point.
When referring to your readings, feel free to use any simple citation form (e.g., author and page). It is fine to use short quotations, but indicate why you are using them. Quotations do not speak for themselves.
Finally, don’t forget the Shaker hymn: “ ‘tis a joy to be simple . . .” State your argument boldly; justify it in a logical fashion; when you are done, stop.
The Honor Code to which you have affixed your signature applies! It is fine with me if you discuss this assignment with your classmates. However, do not ask them or anyone else (outside of the Writing Center) to read or critique the essay. Your essay and argument must be absolutely, completely, and unmistakably your own work. In addition, do note use ChatGPT in any way in completing this assignment. I know each of you well enough that I can hear your voice when you write. Chat GPT is lifeless and no more inspiring than a Led Zeppelin cover band.
I strongly encourage you to share your essay with anyone in the Writing Center. We–both you and I–always benefit by having an outsider read what we have written.
This assignment is both straightforward and challenging. I strongly recommend that you begin it immediately. The sooner you begin, the easier it will be to write a coherent argument. My expectations are not unreasonable. I merely expect you to compose the three best pages of prose that you have ever written in your life.
Please observe all of the following rules without exception. If you tend to forget things, as I do, re-read these rules and internalize them.
Your essay should be no more than 3 typed, double-spaced pages (12 point font) of careful reasoning. It should also have a carefully-chosen title.
Your essay should be in Word format (no PDF or any other mysterious format). Please use the following structure to name your document: [put your name here].firstessay.doc
Your essay is due by