Outline of a Book Report on, All the King's Horses

I. Intro/overview: I would like to use this introductory paragraph to address in a somewhat elaborate manner the pressures that people, in general, experience day to day. These pressures will lead me to then address and give a short overview of my short story. I plan to focus especially on the differences in people’s responses to stress, as highlighted in “All the King’s Horses,” and also on humanity in inhumane situations. I will be exploring these two focuses through many different lenses. Preliminary These: In his short story “All the King’s Horses,” Vonnegut introduces the reader to the psychology of stress reactions and the slow, necessary diminishment of basic human morals in the face of pressure. Using his characters as pawns in his grand attempt to make a statement on humanity, Vonnegut enables the reader to better understand their own reactions in a high-stakes situation and switch what they feel is hindering them from accomplishing what they need to do. It is for this reason that this story should be included in the Junior Curriculum.

II. Literary merit
A. Topic sentence 1: Kurt Vonnegut is a highly celebrated and controversial authors of American culture in the 20th century. (talk about how he writes from ‘real life experience,’ awards/ nominations, statements made in his stories... site ‘The short fiction and the canon’)
B. Topic sentence 2: In “All the King’s Horses” the symbol of “cold” accumulates meaning as the story progresses and according to author Flannery O’Connor, great pieces of short fiction have symbols which accumulate meaning. (Begin by addressing O’Connor’s lecture; discuss the significance of the word to the time period the story was written in; show how it accumulates meaning and prove with quotes)
C. Topic Sentence 3: Vonnegut’s use of short, to-the-point sentences is symbolic of the logic and clarity he wrote about within his story, allowing the readers to connect with the intended meaning and better encompass themselves within the plot. (quotes from the story and from lit crit, GAP-- find better source that discusses Vonnegut’s writing style)

III. Cluster Questions / American Themes: Consciousness and Responsibility
a) TS 1: The stories villains are used as a critique of America’s current perception of Russians and Asians and the lack of human concern in the manner America operates in battle. (Consciousness of the time period and what we are today... Cite quotes from story as well as “McCarthyism” and Enid Lee articles. Discuss mainly the history incorporated in this story and apply it to today with AI article and humans as machine idea)

b)TS 2: Kelly’s responsibility to remain alert but uncaring during the game makes a statement on the “dehumanisation” of people under intense pressure. (Gather quotes from “Rats” article and the last article. I will use this paragraph to further the idea in the previous one about America’s “lack of human concern in battle” by making it more personal to the individual. Use quotes from story, too. Shows responsibility to question habits of mind)
c) TS 3: Kelly and his companies status as prisoners-of-war disables them to change their circumstance despite the fact that they do not accept their fate. (Commentary on Free Will and feeds into the whole concept of taking responsibility when there is nothing else to do. GAP IN RESEARCH-- check for source that discusses free will and choice in tragic situations)
d) TS 4: The concept of “impossible” sacrifice is an important concept for high schoolers to comprehend. (Cite quotes from American Cultural and Intellectual History also GAP--find better source for sacrifice. Relate to the necessity of clear headedness under pressure and willingness to give up one thing for the “greater good”)
IV. Educational / personal relevance to high school juniors
a) TS1: It is necessary for high school students to have a model off which to base their own behavior under pressure. (Cite quotes from story and from ACIH. Discuss relevant pressures, going to good college, etc and offer ways the story gives to handle such pressures)
b) TS2: This short story allows for high school students to gain insight on other peoples reactions under pressure and this insight can enable greater understanding and communication between peers. (Cite quotes from Emily Styles “Windows and Mirrors” and use quotes from the story. Relate this to everyday passing judgements... find source to confirm this. Emphasize the necessity this understanding has to the cooperation amongst people in the real world)
V. Conclusion: In this section begin by detailing a “junior year chess board” to highlight relevance and describe some teenagers actions. From here, lead into freedom of will in spite of the disadvantages to which we are subject: racism we generate and are thus awarded (Americanism). Argue the value this all has for honors juniors and cite last article and Rats article. Emphasize the ending of the story when Barzov invites Kelly to another chess game and the implications behind the offer. Also indicate that junior honors classes need logical structure to be able to better generate solid ideas.