Underworld Papers & Assignment Topics

Essay Topics/Writing Assignments

These 20 essay questions can be used as essay questions on a test, or as stand-alone essay topics for a take-home or in-class writing assignment. Students should have a full understanding of the text in order to answer these questions. They ask for a thorough analysis of the text.

1. What significance do the following events have on the story and the lives of the characters?

1. The 1951 bomb testing.
2. The 1951 world series game.

2. How is the story about Cotter Martin linked to the rest of the story and the characters? Why doesn´t the author continue Cotter's story? How do you think he would have reacted to his father selling the baseball?

3. Which of the eras depicted in the book would you most like to live in and why? How accurate do you think is the author's...
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