• Minimum of 3 outside resources (Resources may include .edu or .org website and/or peer-reviewed journal articles from the TU library.) 

Introduction
For this essay, take a number of elements into account. We have made it through the majority of the course and have studied all sorts of literary elements, forms of stories, types of symbols, and one author influencing another. Walker chose to set her story in the past – in a setting more recent, but truly not all that different from Zora Neale Hurston’s “Sweat.” 

Activity Instructions
In an essay, explore the extent to which you see a direct influence between Hurston and Walker’s writing. Consider the themes of race Walker explores. Does opting to write characters in the setting Walker chose somehow get to the racial themes more immediately? Consider the character Maggie. Why does Walker choose to saddle this character with such a drastic disfigurement? Does it have a symbolic impact that would not work with other characters or could Walker have given this affliction to Dee instead? 

Find outside sources about how the African American experience changes each generation and how consecutive generations handle such changes. There are many great non-fiction sources, including essays, articles, and interviews with Alice Walker and Zora Neale Hurston that would be of use.

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Writing Requirements (APA format)

• 4-5 pages (approx. 300 words per page), not including the reference page
• 1-inch margins
• Double spaced
• 12-point Times New Roman font
• Reference page (minimum of 3 outside resources)