Introduction to Asian American Literature, Fall 2006
Short essay
Due October 6

Write an essay of 3-5 pages on one of the following topics:

• Compare and contrast the works of the Eaton sisters, Sui Sin Far and Onoto Watanna.
• Trace the evolution of the Madame Butterfly story through the several versions we’ve read.
• Choose one stereotype of Asians or Asian-Americans. Consider how the texts we’ve read respond to, perpetuate, and/or refute that stereotype.
• Compare and contrast your own personal experience with one of the texts (for example, “Leaves from the Mental Portfolio of an Eurasian”).
• Rewrite Madame Chrysantheme from Chrysantheme’s point of view, or rewrite Madame Butterfly from Pinkerton’s point of view.
• Imagine that you are an investigative journalist working in the early part of the 20th century. Write a news story about Angel Island based on the poems we read.

I am also open to the idea of essays on topics not included on this list; however, if you wish to choose another topic, you need to check with me first. Feel free to talk to me about your ideas and early drafts before the deadline.

Most of the topics suggested above are intentionally somewhat broad. What I would like you to do is to choose some smaller aspect of the question to focus on – that is, I will prefer essays that treat a narrow issue in detail, rather than essays that skim briefly over numerous points. For instance, if you are considering the evolution of the Madame Butterfly story, don’t just repeat the list of comparison/contrast points that we developed on the chalkboard in class. Instead, choose one of those points and explore it in depth.

Your essay should be 3-5 pages, typed and double-spaced with normal fonts and margins. Sources should be cited in MLA style (although outside research on these topics is optional, you will need to cite the primary texts). You should also upload your essay to turnitin.com (instructions on doing this will be forthcoming). The deadline is October 6, in class. Please keep in mind that I do not accept late papers, so plan ahead in case of last-minute emergencies.