Ethnic American Literature, fall 2007
Essay #3
Due in class Oct. 12

Choose one.

Option 1:
The last section of Beloved tells us several times that “This is not a story to pass on” (324). Explain the significance of this statement.

Option 2:
Beloved was inspired by the story of a real woman, Margaret Garner. Based on the supplemental readings provided in class and on e-reserve, comment on the transformation of this story from fact to fiction.

Option 3:
The novel begins with an epigraph from the Bible, Romans 9:25: “I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.” Discuss this or any other Biblical reference in Beloved.

For all questions:
This essay should be 2-3 full pages, double spaced, paginated, with normal margins and font (Times New Roman, size 12, is standard). Do give your essay a title. Document all sources (including the primary texts) in accordance with MLA style. Keep in mind that I do not accept late papers, and plan accordingly.