Part One: Several of our works this week portray family relationships that are less than perfect. Choose one that stood out to you as particularly moving or engaging. Describe the relationship and explain its personal resonance with you. (Use Good Country People by Flannery O'Conner)

Part Two: Research one of this week's authors and tell us what about his or her biography struck you as being reflective of issues in the work. Be sure to cite all biographical information you report. (Use Flannery O'Conner)

Part Three: Post-modern work is sometimes ambiguous. What do you think happens to Connie at the end of Joyce Carol Oates's story Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? Explain why you think so. Use direct textual evidence to support your assumption. In O'Brien's story we meet a soldier who goes AWOL- he leaves his post and a squad of men is sent to find him. How do you think this story ends based on what you see in this short excerpt? What clues can you tease out of the chapter to give an indication of where this story might be headed?