“An Unfortunate Encounter at the Best-Books Reading Group”
To get more out of life in balmy 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, is Jesse’s chemistry teacher. 
He 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 business school near my office), they have an on-again, off-again turbulent relationship. Fortunately, I also have you, the fourth member of our group, to rely upon. Since you are well-read, insightful, 
and uncannily diplomatic, I anticipate that you will know how to calm the room before 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 between Jesse and Walt rises palpably.
Jesse begins: “I found O’Connor’s message in ‘The Lame Shall Enter First’ surprisingly hopeful. Certainly, this story has much more hope to offer humanity than Sartre’s sorry tale about the pointlessness of human existence.”
Walt listens in disbelief, squints his eyes, coughs, and then replies indignantly: “Jesse, you’re just as ignorant as when I failed you in chemistry! There is no room for hope in O’Connor’s story. For God’s sake, a despondent boy dies by suicide! 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 either of my friends, I decide to pass the buck to you. Turning to you, I ask: Who is right? 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: In writing this essay, 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 your position is right and the other position 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.
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 not use ChatGPT or any of its evil kin 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. (Get an appointment soon). We–both you and I–always benefit by having an outsider read what we have written.
Finally, I will be glad to read and comment on the first paragraph and first sentence of the second paragraph of your essay. To guarantee that I can help on time, send me this material at least two days before the deadline.
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 that I can’t edit).
Your essay must conform to the guidelines in my Tips on Great Writing .
You should submit your essay to your folder by Monday, February 26, at 6:00pm.
See the information about assignments and grading on the Requirements page. I will only allow extensions if you provide ample documentation, such as a doctor’s excuse.
Good luck!