essay

Essay # 3 Instructions 

Representations of War and Genocide: In 1000-1200 words, discuss the novel, Edwidge Danticat’s Farming of the Bones, represent genocide and massacre. Focus on why in history, The Parsley massacre is not called a genocide, rather a massacre. 

Even though the parsley massacre was clearly an act of genocide, history calls it a massacre. Before discussing the novel, explain in your words the definitions of “massacre” and “genocide”? This is the time you should refer to the documentary and discuss why does the author mention genocides in history as far back as the Armenian genocide but do not mention the Parsley massacre. What are the factors that might contribute to its absence in history? This is the first part of your essay. 

The second part is to discuss testimonies of survivors of the genocide. In many ways, The Farming of Bones is also a meditation on survival. Each character in the novel—Amabelle, Sebastien, Father Romain, Man Denise, Man Rapadou, just to name a few—have different methods of survival. Can you discuss these? Are there any characters in particular that have survived with a better quality of life than others? What does it mean to survive?  

How does the novel differ from the documentaries in terms of survival testimony? Why do you think the author chose to write a historical fiction novel versus a non-fiction novel like I am Malala or Persepolis? 

Length: 1000-1200 words

Style: Times New Roman, Double-space, Size 12