First Assignment on Thomas Bell, Out of This Furnace: The Depiction of Women and the Role of Women

An important theme in Bell's novel is the role of women. Think about this theme for this assignment.

There are four parts to the novel: "Kracha", "Mike Dobrejcak", "Mary", and "Dobie". "Mary" is the shortest, and the only one named after a female personage in the novel. But the depiction of the lives and the roles of women is very important in all of the other parts as well.

Your assignment:

• Pick one female personage from each of the following THREE parts of the novel.
• Pick two female personages from the FIRST part of the novel, "Kracha."
• Make sure you pick five different female personages -- that is, do not pick the same personage for two differnt parts, even though they may appear in two (or more) parts.

Don't summarize the story, but analyze how Bell depicts each of these women personages. Refer to specific passages by page number, but don't quote. Instead, analyze, using your own words.

Devote 75-100 words on each of the five women personages you deal with, for a total of 375 - 500 words (no more, please!).

Email to me and to your group. Print out your HW assignment and bring it to class with you.

You will be interested to read the short "Afterword" by Professor David Demarest on pages 415-424.