Godfather Death Literary Elements/Theory.
Read “Godfather Death” (Chapter 1)
The Brothers Grimm (Jakob and Wilhelm), who were brothers and scholars, collected German folktales that were most likely from the Middle Ages and that were shared regularly among family and friends for entertainment and edification. They compiled these original oral tales, of which “Godfather Death” is one, from the recitations of Hessian peasants. Although short and spare, this archetypal story contains all of the regular elements of plot although it tends toward fewer details, stock characters with a minimum of description or character description, and a compact story than those found in longer tales and short stories.
Read the story–and then enjoy thinking about its meaning (and maybe even books and movies that share this theme!).
Directions for Assignment: Godfather Literary Elements and Theory
Complete assigned readings in Week 1 Readings / Reading a Story (and “Godfather Death”).
Review “Instructions for Preparing Written Documents” in syllabus before you prepare your document in Word for the following assignment:
A. List and define each of the terms:
1. dramatic situation
2. conflict
3. exposition
4. protagonist
5. antagonist
6. crisis
7. climax
8. conclusion (or resolution)
B. Next to each of these terms, provide an example of “textual evidence” in your own words from “Godfather Death”; include in-text citations for quotations and paraphrasing along with a Works Cited that corresponds to them.
C. In your e-text, Chapter 52, locate “Critical Approaches to Literature,” which contains information about Mythological Criticism, which you’ll need to complete item #9 of this document you’re preparing. Write (and add) a substantial, descriptive paragraph to your document that describes: 1) what Mythological Criticism is, 2) a mythological or archetypal element you identify in “Godfather Death” (and what it means or represents), and 3) how identifying and understanding this element enriches understanding this short story.
When you have finished writing this assignment (and proofread it for completeness, errors, and format), upload your Word document through this assignment link.
