One Woman’s Desires

For the woman of your choice from Heather Raffo’s 9 Parts of Desire, identify the nature of the
liberation she desires (this is your thesis). Then illustrate your thesis by connecting your ideas to
specific lines, symbols, and images that she uses. Do this in one double-spaced, insightful,
convincing, and clear page.

Insightful
________ Your ideas and analysis of examples demonstrate rigorous thinking and a nuanced understanding of the
layered text. Your points/examples effectively build on one another. The essay has an original focus, extends the
thinking we’ve done together, connects ideas in fresh, interesting (and legitimate) ways, and/or considers examples
we’ve not looked at as a whole class.

________ Your ideas have good potential and/or demonstrate some understanding of the text; however, they are
perhaps under developed or show incomplete understanding of the text. You may make some connections, but the
relationships among ideas and examples are not consistently apparent. The essay does not do much to extend the
thinking we’ve done together, make new connections, or provide new examples.

________ There are a few ideas and/or examples presented, but understanding of them and/or the text or issue as a
whole is not apparent. Ideas likely remain unconnected.

Convincing
_________Your essay has a clear focus, captured in a well-articulated thesis statement. There is specific evidence,
taken from throughout the character’s role, to illustrate your thinking. Your examples are exceptionally well-suited
to your points, your analysis of those examples is exceptionally well-developed, and the significance of your
examples is clear.

_________ Your essay has a focus, but the thesis could be more clearly articulated or more completely considered.
There is some evidence to support the ideas presented, but not always enough, or the evidence could be better. Your
examples may not fully fit your points, your analysis may be weak at times, or the significance of your examples
may not have been made clear. The character’s role may have been unevenly considered.

_________ The essay does not have a clear thesis or focus. The evidence is insufficient or inadequate to support the
ideas presented. The text is little used, misread, and/or misinterpreted.

Clear
________ You articulate your ideas in such a way that they are easy to understand. Sentences are (almost) free
from spelling, usage, and mechanical errors. Your incorporate quotations smoothly and correctly into your writing.
Organization throughout the essay is logical and effective. The essay stays focused throughout.

________ Most of your language is straightforward, but some ideas are difficult to understand. Some sentences
have spelling, usage, and/or mechanical errors. You provided some context for most quotations but perhaps not
enough; some quotations are not smoothly or correctly incorporated into your writing. The organization is logical
but not effective, or some aspects of the organization are confusing. There may be some wordiness, and/or minor
digressions.

________ Your language is muddled and confusing at times. Many sentences contain spelling, usage, and/or
mechanical errors. You do not provide context for your quotations and/or they are not incorporated into your
sentences. Organization is neither logical nor effective. There are major digressions or no identifiable focus.
 Emily James
10/22/10
Block 7
World Literature
The Doctor
The women of 9 Parts Of Desire all want an end of the despair. They all have the

desire to feel a sense of safety for themselves and others, the capability of grievance, and

liberation. The doctor character wanted post war to have the freedom of being healthy or not

having to live in a world with so much pain due to such a brief moment in history that will affect

them for the rest of their life.

The doctor wants health for the people of Iran. She fears the development of more

mutations throughout the generations, and she believes it is caused by the war. This is so because

she says, “ We will have this depleted uranium for what-four thousand years? How many

generations is that growing up handicapped? I am afraid to see them when they’re grown.”(21)

This shows her anxiety and worry for her people and the effects the war will have long term. She

also talks about her husband losing his legs in the war and how that will change their lives

forever. She talks about death and how it might be better. It is an interesting thought because a

lot of people in the book want to survive the war and triumph it through the war. You come to

wonder why her thoughts are bound this way so passionately.

Towards the end of the book, The Doctor makes astonishing announcement by saying

“I’m fine I’m pregnant.”(22) I feel like this explains why she wants different kinds of liberty.

This character has a firm grasp on the importance of health of the people who did not directly get

hurt from the war. She is more passionate about the aftermath and the harm the environment can

do because of all the toxic chemicals. She has seen many children with genetic mutations, and

you come to the conclusion that she is concerned for her child’s well being. What would happen

if her child had a mutation like one of these children? If this happened you would consider death

being the best option because no person would want to live handicapped by having two heads.
 The Doctor has a different point of view from the people who focus on the deaths

today. She is shaped by knowing she might bring into this world a mutated child that did not do

anything to deserve it. She considers death an option because you will have to live through your

life out of this moment in history.