I think literary texts should keep their original language, even if it includes offensive words, because it preserves historical context and the author’s intent. Writers like Flannery O’Connor used specific language to reflect the time and place they were writing about, and altering it can water down the reality of that era. While some words are offensive today, censoring them might make it harder to fully grasp the social and racial tensions of the time. That being said, there should be discussions around these words so readers understand their impact without normalizing them. If a school or platform chooses to censor certain terms, it should come with an explanation rather than just erasing history in my opinion. Part of literature is meant to challenge readers alongside education, and keeping the original language helps us engage with it critically. Instead of removing words, we should use them as opportunities for meaningful discussions about history and progress.
Wesley Deheer-Graham
In “The Lesson” by Toni Cade Bambara, beyond the clear social issues of economic disparity, the story also offers an exploration of perspective and growth. Through Sylvia’s eyes, we see how her understanding of the world is challenged during a trip to an upscale toy store. The lesson here isn’t just about economic inequality, but about how individuals come to understand their position in society and the complexities of those who hold power. The story’s focus on Sylvia’s inner conflict, as she struggles with her pride and the awareness of her own limited knowledge, highlights the tension between childhood innocence and the harsh truths of the world. This theme of personal growth and awareness is key to understanding the message, suggesting that knowledge, while difficult to absorb, is necessary for maturity. I think a good title for an essay about this perspective shift could be: “Growth Beyond the Seen: A Journey of Perspective in ‘The Lesson’.”
The goal of the prewriting assignment is to evaluate the student sample essay and determine whether or not it meets the required guidelines for proper and accurate completion. The class will begin by reading the text from The Most Handsome Drowned Man, written by author Gabriel Garcia Marquez and analyzing Dean Rider’s interpretation of the text. Then, we go through several PowerPoint. One focusing on thesis statements and another on integrating quotes into a literary essay. Additionally, we watch videos on formatting and an MLA citation guide to ensure we understand how to correctly structure and cite our essays. After reviewing these materials, we assess the student sample essay to check if they followed the guidelines and fulfilled the assignment’s requirements. Overall, this prewriting assignment is designed to help us students improve our essay-writing skills by refining these key elements, bettering our understanding, and enhancing the chances of overall success.
