English 101

⁞ Instructions
Choose only ONE of the following options below and, in your post, write a paraphrase that avoids plagiarism of the paragraph you have chosen. Your paraphrase can be as long as the excerpt you have chosen, but should not duplicate any phrasing from the excerpt. If you must, you can quote up to three words in a phrase.

When you are done posting your paraphrase, reply to at least one classmate’s paraphrase, commenting on what s/he has done well and what s/he can improve with the wording. Your response should be written in no fewer than 75 words.

Choose to paraphrase ONE of the excerpts below taken from Enclyclopedia.com:

Option 1

Morrison began writing Sula in 1969, a time of great activism among African Americans and others who were working toward equal civil rights and opportunities. The book addresses issues of racism, bigotry, and suppression of African Americans; it depicts the despair people feel when they can’t get decent jobs, and the determination of some to survive. Eva, for example, cuts off her leg in order to get money to raise her family. Morrison shows how, faced with racist situations, some people had to grovel to whites simply to get by, as Helene does on a train heading through the South. Others, however, fought back, as Sula does when she threatens some white boys who are harassing her and Nel.

or

Option 2

In 1993, Morrison was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature, and thus became the first African American and only the eighth woman ever to win the award. According to Maureen O’Brien in Publishers Weekly, Morrison said, “What is most wonderful for me personally is to know that the Prize has at last been awarded to an African American. I thank God that my mother is alive to see this day.” In 1996, she received the National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters.

Your discussion post will be graded according to the following criteria:

80% – Clear paraphrase of the selected text in your own words.
20% – Thoughtful response to a classmate’s post that comments on what was done well and what could be improved (at least 75 words)

ANSWER

Discussion

Despite having become an insect, Gregor is more humane and sensitive than his family.

Gregor, in The Metamorphosis (Kafka, 2013), does not lose his humaneness and sensitivity despite having undergone a physical transformation. Throughout the story, Gregory changes insignificantly despite having transformed into an insect. He quickly accepts that he has become a burden to his family and attempts to adjust to the new state he finds himself in. Gregor remains passionate and seeks to go out and provide for his family members. His family members, on the other hand, are not as sensitive and human as he is. They struggle with feelings of sympathy and revulsion towards him. Gregor’s mother and sister are sympathetic to his change, even though they suspect that he has not lost his humanity completely. His father shows little sympathy for Gregor’s new state, even attacking him sometimes (Kafka, 2013).

Gregor’s family struggles to accept his new state, their lack of compassion and sensitivity being displayed. Grete, Gregor’s sister, is upset by his appearance and cannot stand to be in the same room with him (Kafka, 2013). Gregor’s mother is horrified by how he looks, even fainting when she sees him (Kafka, 2013). The uncomfortableness of Gregor’s family members shows their lack of sensitivity, displaying their inhumane nature. Gregor, however, remains humane, accepting his appearance and all the accompanying difficulties without complaining. After the failure of his father’s business, Gregor takes on the role of breadwinner for his family, taking on tasks that he did not like (Kafka, 2013). This shows that he is more humane and caring than his family. Therefore, Gregor’s humanity does not fade despite transforming and discovering that he can now crawl on walls and ceilings.

References

Kafka, F. (2013). The metamorphosis. Modern Library Classics.