Challenge 1016

New Songs

In Patrick Honovich’s The Mother of All Hangovers: What is the dramatic function of Satet’s hangover? What difference would it make if he were functioning normally?
In Charles C. Cole’s The Conquering Flea: Bonus question: In what way does this story dramatize the moral of Voltaire’s satirical novella, Micromégas (1752)?
In David Barber’s Songs the Jirt Sang: The author defines “Jirt” separately as a generic name for a space alien. Could another name be found to designate the imaginary animal in the poem?
In Jeffrey Greene’s He Is Other:
1. Is the “Stranger” entirely “other”? In what details does it resemble not only a human being but one who would look normal and unremarkable on a public sreet?
2. The Stranger can and does speak. What would be a logical response to the questions it asks? That is, something a little more precise than “What are you talking about?”
3. The Stranger avoids material obstacles but confronts ones that know when and how to move. If it materialized in the midst of a herd of elephants, would it push them over? Shove them aside? Might they be able to pick up the nuisance and toss it into the brush?
4. In what ways does the Stranger resemble a disease? What is the dramatic function of its afflicting and, ultimately, killing a president rather than someone else?