Student Name: Natalia Donlan
Title of Work : For the Time Being
Character
Choose a character or pair of
characters and what purpose
they serve in the work. Then,
describe how the author
achieves this purpose.
5-7 sentence The character Emperor Qin in
explanation of ideas this novel serves a multitude
in the work. of purposes, with one being to
convey how negativity and
evil is a result of focusing on
greed. In the novel, Qin is
described to have been a
character which focused
greatly on creating a legacy
for himself and to achieve
immortality. Dillard criticizes
this by often describing his life
with negative connotations,
such as when discussing how
Qin ordered for the burning of
Confucian books. By
associating Qin with evil,
Dillard condemns valuing
vanity and greedy ambitions
Theme
Choose a theme in work and
explain its significance to the
work as a whole. Then, describe
how the author conveys this
theme.
A theme conveyed throughout
the novel was the concept of
finding beauty and purpose in
small moments of life. For
example, Dillard stressed the
insignificance of human life
throughout her entire book by
using statistics to paint
humankind as miniscule.
However, she was able to create
meaning through using
anecdotes to tell the personal
stories of various individuals
whom she met. She uses these
stories to show that meaning in
life is created when we are able
to interact with strangers and
form relationships and
connections. This shows that
Plot
Choose an aspect of the plot
(point of view, conflict,
resolution, etc) and explain how
the author crafts the work as a
whole.
An aspect of the plot most
significant to me was the
resolution, as Annie Dillard ends
her novel describing the story of
a man who attached himself to
a plane to discover where it had
originated from. Although being
a wild story, it was crucial to
Dillard’s novel as it finalized her
message, being that we
collectively should embrace the
unknown. Throughout her
entire novel, the author
encourages her readers to cease
trying to prevent or change their
future because it is out of their
control, and instead enjoy their
present lives. By including the
story of a man desperate to find
Connection to the seven
concepts: (identity, culture,
creativity, communication,
perspective, transformation,
and representation)
Choose at least one of the seven
concepts and explain how the
style and content of the work
relates to the concept.
The concept of communication
relates largely to Dillard’s work
as she uses this concept to show
that there is meaning and
purpose in our lives. Within her
novel, Dillard gives multiple
anecdotes and stories of
conversations she's had with
strangers. Though often brief,
these interactions with others
were portrayed to be positive
and the most meaningful
moments in the author's lives.
She encourages her audience to
look past the desire for material
items and instead focus on
connecting with others through
communication, as this is what
creates meaning in life. The
 and gives the message that we there is beauty in life in an answers and portraying him as author contrasts this with
should embrace life for how it optimistic viewpoint and is crazy, Dillard condemns our portraying humans as
is instead of actively found in simple moments. curiosity and need for answers. insignificant through statistics to
attempting to change it. The She wants us to be content with further encourage her message
author uses symbolism and the unknown, as that is how we of the importance in
also the motif of fire to will find peace in life. communicating with others.
achieve this.

Author technique or ● Motif of fire- flames ● Symbolism- human ● Motif of layers- Dillard ● Juxtaposing the author's
strategies (bullet used to burn the interaction and acknowledges that we personal anecdotes
points) books associated communication is what will all eventually die which give her meaning
with evil creates meaning and and become in life to statistics which
You may wish to ● Qin’s desire for purpose in our lives insignificant, and so we devalue human
consider: motifs, immortality is must embrace this significance further
symbols, character symbolic of the greed inevitable fact instead of conveys her message
foils, narrative which Dillard actively seeking ways to that we should create
technique, plot condemns as she change it relationships with others
structure. wants us to be content to be content
with our current lives