At first Dennis found everything perfect at med school. He met a diverse group of fellow classmates. A girl from India was fulfilling her family tradition by becoming a surgeon. She was satisfied with complying with her family's wishes that she follow in their footsteps. Kat was a more independent person. She thought Dennis should make his own decisions and not get caught up with what his parents wanted him to become. Hector was a former athlete and playboy who learned to become a more serious student after flunking out of Harvard and becoming involved in a car accident in which he was seriously injured.

1. Discuss, in depth, why Ipsha felt the need to become a surgeon to maintain her family tradition. Use examples from the book and your own life to support your answer.

2. Do you think Kat's attitude was healthier and more mature than Ipsha's? Why or why not? Use examples from the book and your own life to support your answer.

3. Compare flunking out of Harvard with being in a car accident and discuss which event you think had more influence on Hector. Use examples from the book and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Dennis and Hector. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Dennis and his father. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in "Level Up" help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

Essay Topic 3

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in "Level Up". Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Yang chooses the symbols he does?

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Yang chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Yang's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, cliff hangers, deux ex machina, etc.), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Yang use too many or too little literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme)

(see the answer keys)

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