An essay-response is shorter than a full essay; I think of it as the body of an essay, but I am not asking you to use the essay-format of an intro, body, and conclusion. However, make sure that you give me a full response to each topic you select. Use details for illustration and support. Explain what you mean. The key is for you to demonstrate both your knowledge and clear thinking on each topic you select.
Essay-responses should use 12-point font, be double-spaced, have 1-inch margins, and meet standard formatting, including your name, our class, and good titles.
Pick TWO out of four topics.
Topic 1A:
TMM’s generosity toward and helping of other people.
How can we see these qualities in TMM? Use at least two major concrete examples.
(Don’t merely repeat material from your essays.)
Topic 1B:
The American Pearl: the boat itself –what are the key facts about the boat that we should remember from the building to the final landing? How does the American Pearl, the boat itself, play a role in what happens on the voyages? Focus on the most important aspects, but also be sure to demonstrate a comprehensive sense of the boat’s career.
Topic 1C:
Equipment failures and other major difficulties on Voyage 1?
What were the problems with crucial equipment, how did these problems matter for TMM, and how did she deal with those problems? Also, what other major difficulties arose on the first voyage? And how did TMM deal with those difficulties? (Perhaps this topic is too large, so select the most important items to use while responding to this topic.)
Topic 1D:
Lamar: who he is and how he matters to TMM.
His place in the book and his place in her life, both in childhood and in adulthood.
Testimonials
