The Power of Reciprocity: An Analysis of “The Yellow Wallpaper” through Mauss’ The Gift

The task:
1. Write on the short story. “The Yellow Wallpaper” (p. 585 ff).  
2. Read selections from The Gift by Marcel Maus. The book is linked in the module.
Please read pp. 1-12 and 37-41. This lays out the structure of reciprocity in simple
terms and it’s one of the landmark texts in anthropology.
3. Apply the ideas from Maus to your short story. Where does reciprocity work? Where
does it fail?
4. Make sure to consult the writing guide and sample essay for assistance as you write!
Requirements:
• MLA formatting
• You MUST cite the short story and Maus.
• Introductory and conclusion paragraphs that state and re-state the thesis.
• Summary of Maus’ ideas
• 2 paragraphs establishing a connection between Maus and your short story. In these
paragraphs, you need to explain what is (or is not) reciprocal (emotions, interactions,
etc.), why Maus’ ideas apply, and give an overview of the story. The sample essay
does this nicely.
• 2-3 paragraphs of analysis of reciprocity, its successes, or its failures in the story.
Make sure to cite the story using in-text citations with page numbers.

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