Rosa, the main character of Cynthia Ozick’s The Shawl, experiences multiple devastating losses as a young woman sent to the Warsaw ghetto and then to a concentration camp in Poland during World War II. Begin your paper with a factual summary of what happened to Rosa, and what she lost, during the war. A good answer will show careful attention to the details of Rosa’s story that Ozick has embedded throughout the novella. When we encounter Rosa in Miami roughly 35 years later, we find her living what many would agree to be an extremely limited life. What is her life like now? How does she spend her time? Rosa’s niece Stella is highly critical of Rosa’s behavior and preoccupations. What is Stella’s opinion, and what does she urge Rosa to do? Persky is less critical, but still has advice for Rosa. What is it?

The above (mostly expository) discussion should take roughly 2-3 pages. In the remainder of the paper, you are invited to reflect on the themes of loss and the passage of time as these pertain to Rosa. As part of your discussion, make sure to address the following questions. (1) Rosa, unlike Stella, regards life after Hitler and World War II as a “joke” (p. 58). What do you think Rosa means by that? (Back up your interpretation with textual evidence.) (2) Rosa fails to approach her future in the way most people do. Stella and Persky urge her to change her attitude toward the future, and there is a general suggestion (not necessarily endorsed by Ozick) that Rosa’s attitude toward her future is irrational or even crazy. What do you think? What might be said in defense of Rosa’s attitude toward the future? Do you agree or disagree that she should change her attitude? Why or why not? (3) Do you think it would have been better for Rosa if she were more like Derek Parfit’s character “Timeless”? Why or why not? (In discussing this question, be sure to explain who this character is.) What might Rosa say if advised to be selective about the parts of her life over time that she chooses to focus on? (Again, support your suggestion with textual evidence.) What do you think of Rosa’s imagined reply? As always, the most important thing is not the specific position you take, but rather whether your discussion is clear, detailed, thoughtful, well organized, and well explained.

Use MLA format

6 pages

use only the texts attached