Exploring the Text

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  1. How does Joyce Carol Oates characterize Connie? What part does June play in her characterization?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - How does Joyce Carol Oates characterize Connie? What part does June play in her characterization?
  2. Do you think Connie is a typical American teenager? Are her qualities characteristic of teenagers in general or do they seem specific to an earlier time period? Explain your answer.

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - Do you think Connie is a typical American teenager? Are her qualities characteristic of teenagers in general or do they seem specific to an earlier time period? Explain your answer.
  3. How does Oates develop the character of Arnold Friend? Look especially at her descriptions of his physical features and clothes.

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - How does Oates develop the character of Arnold Friend? Look especially at her descriptions of his physical features and clothes.
  4. What part does music play in this story? Why is it important to Connie?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - What part does music play in this story? Why is it important to Connie?
  5. How does Oates generate and control the story’s suspense? At which points does the suspense increase with particular intensity? How does she convey Connie’s mounting fear? What or who controls her actions?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - How does Oates generate and control the story’s suspense? At which points does the suspense increase with particular intensity? How does she convey Connie’s mounting fear? What or who controls her actions?
  6. Oates does not provide closure in this story. Why? Does the indeterminate ending add to or diminish the story’s power? Explain your answer.

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - Oates does not provide closure in this story. Why? Does the indeterminate ending add to or diminish the story’s power? Explain your answer.
  7. Oates says she based her story on three Tucson, Arizona, murders committed by Charles Schmid, the “Pied Piper of Tucson,” in the 1960s. How does this link to an actual incident influence your reading of the story?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - Oates says she based her story on three Tucson, Arizona, murders committed by Charles Schmid, the “Pied Piper of Tucson,” in the 1960s. How does this link to an actual incident influence your reading of the story?
  8. Oates dedicates the story to Bob Dylan and says she was inspired by his song “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue.” Listen to the song, paying special attention to the lyrics. Why do you think Oates found the song compelling? What do you think inspired the dedication?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - Oates dedicates the story to Bob Dylan and says she was inspired by his song “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue.” Listen to the song, paying special attention to the lyrics. Why do you think Oates found the song compelling? What do you think inspired the dedication?