The Rachael Divide Summary Paper

1. Read Christina Rosetti’s “Goblin Market” and write a short analysis of it 

OR

2. Watch The Rachel Divide on Netflix and write a short analysis of it. It is a documentary about Rachel Dolezal (Now known as Nkechi Amare Diallo) and her understanding of racial identity. 

IF YOU CHOOSE TO WRITE ABOUT “GOBLIN MARKET”
If you choose this option for your essay, I’d like you to write about the act of deception and the form of love you see in this poem. So–the goblins deceive the girl. How? What is the deception? What do they promise her? What does she get? What do you think that means–is Rossetti suggesting a lesson here? And, finally, what saves the girl? How would you characterize the love in this poem? What does it all mean?

IF YOU CHOOSE TO WRITE ABOUT THE RACHEL DIVIDE
If you choose this option for your essay please consider the issue of identity here–can someone’s racial identity be something divorced from skin color and experience? Rachel is so controversial because of the way she claims a racial identity and experience without having to face the racial injustice in America. For her detractors, it’s not about skin color–it is about how skin color is interpreted and experienced in America. So, after watching her story, what do you think? How does Rachel’s story relate to our broader discussions about identity in this class? What do you think Jenkins would argue about race and identity?