Final Exam Question

LSIC 179, Our Stories: Autobiography in American History

Due to Dr. Pearson in her office Monday, December 10 by 12 noon.

Craft a well-considered, well-organized answer to the following question.  Answers should be no more than five pages long. Double space your answers, using Times New Roman or Garamond, 12-point font.  Use 1 inch margins all the way around your paper.  I expect an argument that begins with a thesis and includes superior analysis supported by specific examples/evidence drawn from our readings and class discussion.  Because this is a take-home exam, I have high expectations with regard to grammar, punctuation, organization, and articulation of your arguments.  Use only the sources that were assigned and discussed in class from October 22 through the end of the semester.  Do not waste your time conducting outside research.

We have discussed the role of categories in helping us to understand other people’s interpretations of their lives.  Among these categories are the multiple layers of identity that each of us bears.  Using specific examples from Frederick Douglass’ Narrative and at least two other sources that we have read and/or discussed in class since the midterm (October 22-December 3), discuss the predominant identity each autobiographer wanted to project to the reader and how they projected it.

(Note that you are welcome to refer to the materials we viewed, listened to, and discussed during the lecture/discussions on autobiographical art, epitaphs, poetry and music, but they will not count as one of the two sources in addition to the Douglass narrative.)