1. In the early part of the semester, you read Hard Times. Choose a character from the novel you read. Discuss how the character grows and changes and what these changes suggest about theme in the work. Use details from the novel to support your ideas. In your response in two or three well-developed paragraphs.

2. In the later part of the semester, you read Siddhartha. Choose a theme from the novel you read. State the theme and explain it in the context of the novel. Then discuss how the theme relates to readers’ lives today. Use details from the novel to support your ideas. Write your response in two or three well-developed paragraphs.