Marital fidelity and infidelity in contemporary short stories are sometimes expressed in terms of a conflict between the contrary needs for independence and belonging. The narrators in Jill McCorkle’s short stories “Cats” and “Dogs” both wrestle with these conflicts and the ironies involved in negotiating a path between them. Compare how the narrator of each story works through these conflicts in her marital relationships and how these conflicts are expressed through the metaphors of dogs and cats.
Primary Sources
- "Cats" (91-106)
- "Dogs" (107-120)
McCorkle, Jill. Creatures of Habit. Little, Brown, 2003. Print.
Prewriting
Writing is thinking. Use these questions to wrestle with the stories. In writing the essay, however, do not include personal observation or references to yourself or your thinking processes.
"Cats"
- What is the central point?
- Why does the author choose the title Cats?
- During Abbott’s memory lapses, why do you think Anne doesn’t immediately call his new wife to inform her that he is at her house but instead leads him to believe he is still married to her?
- If you were in Anne’s position would you have done the same? Why or Why not.
- How does Anne’s past experience with marriage shape the person she is now.
- Do Anne and Abbott remind you of anyone you know? Describe that person.
- On page 103, Anne describes the way her cat looks after death. How does this compare to her husband at the end of the story.
- Why does Anne link Abbott’s straying from their marriage and her cat’s death?
- Why do you think that even to this day Anne has a hard time sleeping through the night?
"Dogs
- What is the central point?
- Why does the author choose the title Dogs?
- Why do you think the author starts the story with, “If I were a dog I would have been put down by now” .
- Describe the relationship between the main character and her friend Marissa?
- The main character confronts her friend about her feelings. Would you have handled the situation differently? How?
- Have you ever experienced a strain with one of your friendships? What was the conflict and was there a solution?
- The last sentence says, “All we really want, I tell her, is for someone we really care about to say speak to me, girl, speak. Now stay”. What do you think she means by this?
- Describe the difference between the dog house and the business she wants to create.
- On page 117, why do you think she continues to have a relationship with Woody when she refers to him as stupid and careless?
- Describe some conclusions you can come up with about the ice sculptor.
- Richie is an inspiration to the author of the story. Describe a person in your life who has inspired you in a similar way.
Requirements
- Length: Your essay must be a minimum of 800 words.
- Documentation Format: You must include an MLA formatted Works Cited page that includes correctly formatted internal citations for all source material used.
- Sources: You are restricted to the stories assigned.
- Number of sources: You must use both selected works. You may NOT use any other sources.
For this essay, students must not use any sources other than the stories themselves. Students may use a dictionary to help with words with which they are not familiar but should not refer to the dictionary definitions in the essay. Students should base the discussion of the theme on their own close reading of the stories.
Students must use MLA style documentation. Internal citations should identify author and page number. Students must also include an MLA Works Cited page.
Finally, students should proofread carefully their final drafts for spelling, grammar, and punctuation as well as clarity, conciseness, and completeness. The final draft should be typed, double spaced, with one inch margins, in Times New Roman 12 pt. The essay should be a minimum of 600 words (two typewritten pages, equivalent to about five handwritten pages) in length.
The essay will be evaluated based on how well students develop their arguments with significant support from the text and articles (thesis, topic sentences, supporting details from the poems); clarity, cohesion, and conciseness; correct use of MLA format; and grammar and spelling.
Students are forbidden from using any source material other than the following selected works. Use of sources about the works will result in a zero grade.
