Comparative Essay Preparation

Brainstorming

You may work on the following questions individually or in small groups. Even if you
choose to work in a group, each member needs their own individual copy of the responses.
Responses can be point form, but must be detailed and complete.

Home written by George Saunders

The Stutterer directed by Benjamin Cleary

1. Re-examine the narratives and locate and identify examples that illustrate each of the
following topics:

à Defying Social Norms à Important of Family

à Alienation/Isolation à Communication

2. Identify items that you believe function as symbols within the stories. Attempt to describe
what they are symbolizing.

3. What evidence have the authors and/or director included to ensure that the reader is aware that
the setting, people and events that are included in the introduction of the story relate specifically
to those in the conclusion of the story?

4. What happens to Mikey at the end of the story Home?

5. What happens to Greenwood at the end of The Stutterer?

6. Why do both Mikey and Greenwood feel like outsiders?

Extension: Attempt to create a thesis statement by focusing on the themes of the works above
and identifying strong connections between texts.