In-Class Writing Assessment

1. Are there any prominent symbols in the story? What are they, and how are they used?

There are prominent symbols in the story, Professor Incognito Apologizes, but they are not as obvious. I would say that Doctor Kagen is the most prominent symbol, because he is their couples therapist. He is mentioned many times because the main character’s relationship troubles he speaks of in the writing. Also, good and evil are symbols. In the world in which they exist in, the main character speaks of his evil side which he has kept hidden from her, as well as the heros who have been after him. In their world, good and evil are prominent and existing. He actually sees himself as evil.

2. What connections did you make with the story? Discuss the elements of the work with with you were able to connect.

I was able to connect with the story from the relationship aspect. In the short story, the character discusses how some people have multiple sides to them, and how they don’t show their other side, that they hide it from others. Three years ago I was in a relationship with a comic book artist. His father worked for DC comics, so much of his life was about comics. Comics tend to have the common theme of “good vs. evil.” The short story almost feels like it has a comic book narrative- a woman is actually dating a villain. Similar to Spiderman and Mary Jane/Gwen. Another aspect I connected to while reading this story was that the artist who I dated didn’t show me that “other side” of him. He never told me anything personal, every conversation was full of jokes and meaningless banter. Maybe he was secretly a villain? I’m kidding of course...

3. What changes would you make to adapt this story into another medium? What medium would you use, what changes would you make.

This story would make a great graphic novel. The story is almost a “villain speech,” the speech villains make before they carry out their evil plan. But this story is also an apology, and it’s very visual. In a graphic novel version of this story I would cut between Suzanne in the lab listening to his apology speech, and the moments he is apologizing for, such as, dinner with the parents, and other moments of his relationship with Suzanne. It would be interesting to visually see the moments he is referring to, especially ones like how he left her hints so that she would discover his secret lab. I could enjoy seeing him and Suzanne happy, because it’s his better, soft side. I think this would translate into a graphic novel well.