Prompts for Response Paper #7

Prompts for Response Paper #7:

Due Tuesday, March 8 in class (and before class on turnitin.com).

You should have citations and a work/works cited entry for this paper. Be sure to demonstrate some of the moves Harris discusses in Chapter 4 (“Taking an Approach”) in Rewriting.  Remember that Tim Minear (not Joss Whedon) wrote this episode.

1)      This isn’t a Joss Whedon-centered prompt at all, but it’s a fun one: On page 75 of Rewriting, Harris explains a possible project (“Interpreting Cover Songs”) that examines how singers cover each others’ works. Write a response in which you complete the project that Harris describes.

2)      Using a critical article on television, complete the project Harris outlines on pages 76-77 (“Defining an Approach”). You can use an article we’ve read and discussed as a class as long as you haven’t already written extensively about it. But also feel free to find another article to use. Again, you might start with Slayage, the peer-reviewed journal, http://slayageonline.com/.

3)      Discuss the theme of betrayal and/or forgiveness in “Are You Now or Have you Ever Been.” What larger point does the episode seem to be making about these emotions/forces? (This is a very broad prompt, so be sure to be specific in your thesis/response.)

4)      Discuss the way overtones of race/racism work in this episode. (Another broad topic, so be careful—and resist clichéd answers and interpretations—unless you feel that’s what the episode is doing.)

5)      A similar prompt to #4: Discuss the impact/reasons for setting this episode in 1952. (Another broad topic, so be careful.)

6)      “Are You Now or Have You Ever Been” is considered one of Angel’s best episodes. Pick one specific aesthetic strength of the episode and analyze it. Possible topics include: music/score, the use of flashbacks and fade-ins, costuming, set design, the demon’s appearance and voice, etc.