Exploring the Text

1. Thanksgiving is a holiday that inspires both delight and dread: many see it as their favorite since it has no religious affiliation but is simply a celebration of bounty and fellowship; others recall or anticipate gatherings that abound with conflict and misunderstanding. On the surface, it seems that Roz Chast focuses on only one of these views, but in fact a case can be made that she captures both. What specifics can you cite to make that case?

   Chapter 6 - The Last Thanksgiving - Exploring the Text: Thanksgiving is a holiday that inspires both delight and dread: many see it as their favorite since it has no religious affiliation but is simply a celebration of bounty and fellowship; others recall or anticipate gatherings that abound with conflict and misunderstanding. On the surface, it seems that Roz Chast focuses on only one of these views, but in fact a case can be made that she captures both. What specifics can you cite to make that case?
2. Clearly, Chast’s imaginary dinner guests are quite different from those in Rockwell’s painting. Yet in what ways does Chast’s depiction of Thanksgiving reflect the same American values that Rockwell’s does?

   Chapter 6 - The Last Thanksgiving - Exploring the Text: Clearly, Chast’s imaginary dinner guests are quite different from those in Rockwell’s painting. Yet in what ways does Chast’s depiction of Thanksgiving reflect the same American values that Rockwell’s does?
3. What do you think is Chast’s purpose in this cartoon? Is it simply to amuse? To ridicule? To provoke reflection? Explain.

   Chapter 6 - The Last Thanksgiving - Exploring the Text: What do you think is Chast’s purpose in this cartoon? Is it simply to amuse? To ridicule? To provoke reflection? Explain.
4. What is Chast’s argument in this cartoon? Is Chast making a point about Thanksgiving in general or the nature of community in the twenty-first century in particular? Or both? Cite specific details in the cartoon to support your response.

   Chapter 6 - The Last Thanksgiving - Exploring the Text: What is Chast’s argument in this cartoon? Is Chast making a point about Thanksgiving in general or the nature of community in the twenty-first century in particular? Or both? Cite specific details in the cartoon to support your response.