Compare the Polish and American experiences of WWII

Write two essays (2 x 10 points maximum; 10% of the final grade)

Instructions: Choose one topic from each of the groups and write an essay. Each of the essays is to be a minimum of 300 words long and demonstrate your understanding of the topic. To receive the maximum score for your essays (10 points per essay), your essays need to be clearly written and well-argued, with examples and/or quotes, where applicable.

Please submit your essays electronically using the course Canvas site. The deadline to submit is Friday, April 24, 11:00am.

Essay Topics Group One (choose one):

1.Compare the Polish and American experiences of WWII
2. Did Poland win WWII?
6. What was life like in Poland under communism?

Essay Topics Group Two (choose one):

1. “Out at Sea”: a play about democracy and human nature

2. Discuss the poems connected with WWII experience (Szymborska, Herbert and Różewicz)

3. Discuss the short story “This Way to the Gas, Ladies and Gentlemen”

4. Discuss the short story “The One from Hamburg”

5. Discuss the story “When There is Talk of 1945”.

6. Discuss “Tango” and “The Cathedral”

7. Discuss contemporary Polish art. Choose a few examples describe them and explain their potential meaning.

8. Discuss “Threnody for the Victims of Hiroshima” by Krzysztof Penderecki

10. Discuss the old and contemporary Polish wedding traditions. You may choose to compare them to the traditions of a different group ethnic you know