Analysis of Kristen Roupenian's Short Story Cat Person

Question 1: Margot's Interest in Robert

 Be selective with your choice of quotes from secondary sources; ensure a good balance of your own opinion and analysis with support from secondary sources. Your paper should demonstrate a grasp of both “Cat Person” (through close reading) and the critical materials (secondary sources) available. This means that you must show an understanding of the reliability of critical materials: how to find credible, scholarly criticism, and an ability to judge whether a work is dated or current. You may want to consider biographical materials (such as author interviews) and sources for larger social, political, and historical contexts as well. Choose one of the following essay questions: 1. In “Cat Person” by Kristen Roupenian why does Margot have a difficult time telling Robert she is not interested? • Consider her “interest” based on their interactions from the beginning of the story, throughout the story, and at the end of the story. • Use the “prep” questions at the end of this doc to think through the story. • Consider the larger social, political, and historical contexts of #MeToo, feminism, and toxic masculinity. You are welcome to refer to sources such as Everyday Feminism and other credible news and journalism sources for context. • Use a minimum of three literary techniques (e.g. characterization, metaphor, dialogue, foreshadowing) to make your argument. 2. How does “Cat Person” respond to its cultural, political, and historical circumstances? Which circumstances is it responding to? How does the writer use literary techniques to respond to these contexts? • To grasp contexts, research and consider why “Cat Person” went viral. • What else was happening in 2017? Research a timeline of events in 2017. (Hint: events such as the Women’s March happened in 2017). • Use the “prep” questions below to think through the story and the way its responding to cultural, political, and historical circumstances. • Use a minimum of three literary techniques (e.g. characterization, metaphor, dialogue, foreshadowing) to show how its responding to the circumstances. If you would like to write an argument of your choice about “Cat Person,” please email me with your argument by Monday, Nov 23, 2020, for discussion and approval. WRIT 1003 | Research & Argument [email protected] Questions for prep / thinking through the story. Note: Literary techniques are in bold to help you kickstart your close reading using analysis of literary techniques. 1) In the opening scene, Margot flirts with Robert by commenting on the Red Vines that he bought. The writer, Kristen Roupenian, tells us flirting is a habit that Margot picked up: “Flirting with her customers was a habit she’d picked up back when she worked as a barista, and it helped with tips.” Do you think Margot is flirting because she likes Robert, because it’s a habit, or because she is hoping to get tips? Consider sexism in the workplace when thinking through your response. 2) How would you describe the way that Robert talks to Margot? Are they questions, instructions, commands? How would you describe them? Here is one example of dialogue to begin discussing the characterization of Robert: “Give me your phone number.” Consider other examples of dialogue from Robert. *Dialogue and characterization are literary techniques that you can use in your research essay to make your arguments. 3) How would you describe Margot’s and Robbie’s early text exchanges? Consider what is being said but also consider the silences. How does it foreshadow what’s to come? *Foreshadowing is another literary technique, which you can use in your research essay to make your arguments. 4) How does Robert use the silent treatment / withholding of communication to get his way? Pick out examples from the text and list them. 5) Who do you think is more sexually experienced? Robert, age 34, or Margot, age 20? Why do you think Margot laughs when he doesn’t know how to finger her? 6) What is Margot’s imaginary boyfriend like compared to Robert? What are their jokes like compared to Robert and Margot’s jokes? How does Margot feel when playing out situations with her imaginary boyfriend vs. with Robert? 7) Several times, Margot thinks he is going to murder her. At one point she says it. Why do you think she feels this way? 8) Consider the metaphor of the leech. How would you say she feels about Robert? 9) Why do Margot’s friends immediately protect her when she is at the bar and they see Robert? 10) Why does Roupenian choose to end the story with a one-sided conversation that is a string of text messages from Robert?