The Cruelest Sport by Joyce Carol Oates And

“The Cruelest Sport” by Joyce Carol Oates “And if the body does not do fully as much as the soul? And if the body were not the soul, what is the soul? - Walt Whitman, “I Sing the Body Electrice” “A boxer’s victory is gained in blood. ” - Greek inscription Why pair these two epigraphs with this title?

The power of “yet” • Sentences that begin with “yet” normally signal an important turn in an argument. • “Yet” signifies key nuances in a piece • As you read, make note of sentences/paragraphs which contain trigger words including “yet, ” “but, ” or “however”. How do these passages show Oates turning a corner or filling in a new/distinct meaning?

Sections 1 and 2 Notes Focus on… • Development of tone Diction Imagery • What initial impression of the sport of boxing is Oates depicting here?

Section 3 • Consider Oates’ use of parentheticals – what do they add to this piece? • Continue to note diction, imagery, and other elements developing tone • What does the longish narrative about Ali do for her argument?

Sections 4&5 • Quotidian = Something that happens daily; routine • What ideal does Ali seem to represent in this passage? • Tone regarding Ali • Use of comparison • Dark turn towards the end of section 5 • https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=PLWYn. TFz 9 PE • https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=dpf. ZYq. Dgk. Q 4 (start around 3: 10)

Section 6 • Notes of irony • How Oates describes the plight of the boxer – diction, syntax, etc. • Choices for concluding argument