Novel: Small Things. ENG1501, 2024
ASSIGNMENT 3
This document provides notes on how to write a reflective essay
about a novel. Secondly, it addresses questions in Section B, relating
to how the reader and main character experience Mercedes’s body,
emotions and reactions. In addition, the document identifies literary
devices like alliteration, metaphor and imagery used in the text of
the prescribed extract. The bonus question is also discussed with
examples.
author: maleselamakwesa1@gmail.com
,Section A: reflective essay
This section is based on the discussion of the features of a novel found in Unit 4 of
the study guide. Now let us look at how you can tackle this section. I will reproduce
the assignment questions, followed by suggested answers. You can set each
paragraph to 100 words minimum. But depending on expression, you can add more
words. However, be mindful of the limit of this essay which is 400 words.
1. Have you read any novels? If so, what types of novels have you read?
(When we refer to a type, we really mean a “genre”. A genre refers to the
categories into which novels can be classified, such as crime novels, romance
novels, science fiction or fantasy novels. Share the title and author of a South
African novel you have read (if you have read one). Does it have any
similarities with Small Things? Mention a few.
This question appears to be straight-forward. It has two parts. In the first part it is not
a must that you mention the names of novels you have read. You can simply answer
‘yes’, I have read (many/some) novels, and thereafter state the genre/s you have
read. For instance, if you like romance, mystery or historical novels; you can explain
the reasons you like this type of genres. In the second part of the question you are
expected to state the title (name and author) of a South African novel you have read
and whether it has similarities with Small Things. Similarities will mean, for instance,
identical themes such as ‘the setting’. For example, do events in both novels take
place in apartheid or post-democratic South Africa? Do both novels deal with themes
like homelessness, xenophobia, love, arts and inequality, as it is seen in Small
Things? If the novel you have read has some of these themes, then mention them in
your response. Also, make efforts to paraphrase from both novels in your
comparison, to score more marks. For example, In Stone (2006:16) homelessness is
depicted through the main character, Mpho’s eviction from a public park. In Mohlele
(2003:18) homelessness is shown through the depiction of beggars draped in grime
on the street.
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, 2. When working through Unit 4, which parts of this unit were the clearest to
you? (Elaborate) Which ones did you struggle with? (Expand)
In this question, which smells like free marks, you only need to go to Unit 4 of your
study guide. Here you will have to describe a concept or topic you found easy to
understand or it provided you with more insight. The concept can be the plot, setting
and, or characterisation. You are expected to mention, in your discussion, bits of
information you have read in these concepts. Maybe the study guide has helped you
gain clarity that setting in a novel refers to the place and time where and when the
story takes place. If this information is on page 68, you will have to provide this
reference in your response. This also goes to the concept/s that you found difficult to
understand, or feel they were not explained to your satisfaction.
3. Did you find the prescribed novel interesting and was it easy for you to
read? What made the novel interesting? Did you dislike this novel? If so, why
did you dislike it?
In this question you are given the option to discuss if you have enjoyed the novel or
not. Let us pretend that you have enjoyed it. Examples of you having enjoyed the
novel can include statements like: ‘it interested you because you were intrigued by
the love story between Desiree and the main character, and the fact that their
relationship does not end in happiness. While explaining this, you can quote from the
book to support you argument. Examples of their love are that when they were
young the main character wrote poems and love letters for Desiree. This information
is on pages 6-7 of the novel. You will have to reference this in your response. You
can follow this method to mention other parts you found interesting in the novel, and
for more marks, quote from the book and reference. Was the novel easy for you to
read? You can answer yes, and then mention few sentences why. Maybe you have
liked the standard of writing, and feel this made the story easy to understand. Maybe
the short paragraphs and chapters made the reading easy. On the contrary, maybe
the book was not an easy read because it uses formal English or big words, and as a
result you were forced to stop reading time and again to consult the dictionary.
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