Postmodernism and Contemporary Literature
(1939-Present)
Cover sheet: Using the notes from the class and material in your textbook, develop an
illustrated cover sheet for Postmodernism. Your cover sheet should include three political and
social milestones (pp. 890-891), the dates assigned to the period, typical types of writings
during that period, and some important authors of the time period.
Timeline: Develop a creative timeline of American and world events. Use the information in
the text on pages 888-889. Select four American events and four world events which you
believe would have had the most impact on American literature during this period. Develop a
poem, relevant art items, or a collage to strikingly depict your selected events and dates.
Amy Tan’s “Rules of the Game” (p. 1016) Write a paragraph in which you use details
from the story to illustrate how “Rules of the Game” exemplifies ONE characteristic of
Postmodernist literature. Use the chart we completed in class as we read the story, and
choose ONE of the boxes. The heading of that box will shape your topic sentence. Use the
details in that box as your concrete details. Further elaborate with meaningful commentary to
analyze how the details illustrate this particular characteristic of Postmodern literature.
“Game” (p. 973) The story, “Game,” does an excellent job of developing the characters
and the conflict, but the resolution is vague and ambiguous. Add an ending to the story that
addresses the psychological issues raised and resolves the physical dilemma presented. Do
they shoot each other? Are they ever relieved of their duties? It’s up to you to decide.
Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood Choose ONE of the following projects for the assessment
of In Cold Blood. Use the book, the internet, and your recollection of the movie to help shape
your writing.
1. You are a journalist, covering the executions of Richard Hickock and Perry Smith. In a
feature story of no more than 1000 words (minimum 500), document the executions,
and provide a backstory for the sentence being carried out. This is a journalistic
endeavor, and therefore should answer the six basic questions: who, what, why, where,
when, and how.
2. As a neighbor, you feel you might have information that will help investigators solve this
heinous crime. Write a narrative in which you describe the strange occurrences you
noticed in the days and hours leading up to the murder of the Clutter family.
3. Impact statement. Usually, in capital punishment cases, family members are asked to
provide impact statements to help persuade the jury to either impose the death penalty
or seek leniency. In a letter the jury, provide a statement that does one of the
following:
a. You are a friend or family member of the Clutters. Why is it that anything short of
the death penalty would be a miscarriage of justice?
b. You are a friend or family member of Richard Hickock or Perry Smith, and you are
asking for leniency. How might there be redemption for these murderers? How
do you feel the death penalty would be a miscarriage of justice in this case?
Checklist for American Romanticism project:
Coversheet
“Game”
______title (Postmodernism)
______dates (1939-Present)
______3 political and social milestones
______important authors (list ~5)
______important types of writing (list ~5 different
genres)
_____Write an ending for the story
Timeline
______four key American events
______four key world events
“Rules of the Game”: Write one paragraph
_____Topic Sentence should define the element of
postmodern literature
_____Concrete details (quotes) from story
_____Thoughtful Commentary
In Cold Blood
-Choose one:
_____Write a newspaper article about the
crime and execution of the murderers
_____Write a witness report as one of the
neighbors who “noticed something
suspicious”
_____Write an impact statement either in
support of the death penalty or against
it