Reading for Friday: Refuge pages 281-290. This is an essay titled, "The Clan of the One-Breasted Women." Also read the poem I gave you (and that's attached to this page), "At the Bomb Testing Site" by William Stafford. Find one (at least) credible online site that discusses the bomb testing of the 1950s and 60s. (See A-Bomb Testing for a start, but you must find one of your own.)

Assignment for Friday: Write a response to Williams' essay and Stafford's poem. In your response, make sure you refer to parts of each work (the essay and the poem). Things to consider in the essay:

  • "The legal doctrine of sovereign immunity" and the idea that our government is immune.
  • What it is to be a "downwinder." What responsibilities might you have if you find out you are a "downwinder"?
  • Is there proof that the bomb testing has caused cancer? What evidence exists either way?
  • "Tolerating blind obedience in the name of patriotism or religion ultimately takes our lives." What does this mean?
  • "The red hot pains beneath the desert promised death only, as each bomb became a stillborn. A contract had been made and broken between human beings and the land."
  • What do you think of the interaction between the arresting officer and Williams? Why the stern question? Why did Williams claim the officer's findings to be "weapons"? Why did the officer leave the "weapons" where they were? Why were the women released the way they were?

    Be sure you read the essay and the poem more than once. Only through thoughtful and critical reading can you begin to understand what happens in writings that are this personal and political. Use MLA format in your response. Cite the URL that you use to get some background information on the bomb testing of the 1950s and 60s. I would expect your response to be at least 2 pages long.

    Your first draft of this paper is due at the beginning of class on Monday, April 7th. Your revised version will be due on Wednesday, April 9th.

    This paper is worth 30 points.

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