1. The contemporary writer Anita Desai states, “Work is the business of adults, but play is often considered the business of children.” How is this statement demonstrated in the experiences of the children in these two stories?
2. What coming of age realities did the children experience?
3. What resolutions were derived as a result of these realities?
4. Was there a sense of societal or personal alienation demonstrated by any of the characters due to gender, poverty, or other situations?
Address the four questions in your essay.
Analyze and compare the authors’ position and rhetorical stances on the connecting themes of these stories.
Analyze your position on the content and literary elements in these stories.
Compare the stories.