How would you describe the opening/hook? Is it effective? Why or why not?

The point of a scholarly book review is not to summarize the content of the book, but to situate the historical merit of the book and to evaluate critically the author’s purpose, thesis, contentions, and methods of analysis. Hence, the bulk of the body of one’s review essay will be an evaluation of how convincing was the author’s presentation of his/her thesis, and a commentary on the book’s contribution to one’s understanding of important issues.  Your assignment is a combination of a book review, book report, and analysis.

 

Your assignment is to read Natalie Zemon Davis’ book, The Return of Martin Guerre, and write a review of sorts.  The novel tackles an important aspect of historical inquiry:  how historians discover things about anyone in the past?  By looking at letters, diaries, autobiographies, memoirs, family histories, literary sources, and stories, Davis gives modern audiences a biopic glimpse into peasant life in 16th century southern France via one unique story.

 

Your review has 2 parts: Part I is 6 questions to answer, and Part II is a short essay

 

Instructions and formatting:  First, answer the questions in great detail, and then complete the short essay as directed, all in one document.  Your document must:

 

  • Be a Word document; one document for both parts
  • Be typed, double-spaced throughout
  • Include your name/course/due date/instructor name in upper left corner
  • Include page numbers in upper right corner
  • Include a number of specific quotes, as well as details from the text

 

  • Make sure to include page numbers for quotes, paraphrases, etc. within your text.
  • No secondary research required.
  • No Works Cited Page required.
  • There is no word limit for the question responses, but one and two-liners will not be graded
  • Your essay should be, at minimum, 750 words.

 

 

PART I: QUESTIONS – respond in great detail

 

  1. OPENING: How does the story begin? How would you describe the opening/hook? Is it effective? Why or why not? Is the story written in 1st person (does the author use the pronoun “I”), or 3rd person? Is it in the present or past tense?

 

  1. SETTING: Describe the time, place, and mood of the story. Where are we in the world? What is the region like? What is the village like?  Describe the surroundings.  Use evidence to support your description of the mood.

 

  1. THEME: What is the main idea (meaning the big idea) of the story? Theme differs from the plot or subject in that it involves a statement or opinion about the subject.

 

  1. CHARACTER(S): Describe the hero, or protagonist, of the story. What words would you use to describe him/her? What led you to that conclusion? (Use evidence from the text to support your description.) Who or what is the antagonist in the story? How do the 2 relate?

 

  1. Briefly describe the conflict in the story. Use evidence (quotes) from the text to support your description.

 

  1. To what extent does the story of Martin Guerre offer us a window into French village life in the mid-16th century? Is it possible to recapture this lost world?  Is it at all important to do so?

 

 

 

PART II:  ESSAY

Select one of the themes below and write a brief essay (with thesis, body paragraphs, and a conclusion).  Do not summarize the story in any way.  Jump straight in to your argument.  Example first line:  In the book, The Return of Martin Guerre, Davis uses powerful notions of motherhood to win over a female audience.  I will examine three episodes about the character of Bertrande to show how …”

 

Themes to choose from:

  • Peasant identity in 16th century France
  • Law and the justice system in 16th century France
  • Masculinity and marriage
  • Village life
  • Women and power
  • Economic influence on the case
  • Religious influence on the case