Question

Compare and contrast Dade (from “Star Food”) and Julian (from “Everything That Rises Must Converge”) at the end of their respective stories. How are the two characters similar? How are they different?

Answer 1

A good place to start is sparknotes.com. Read the summary of the stories there and then draw your own conclusion on how they are similar and different.

Answer 2

An even better approach is to read the two essays and think about the two characters. In what way are they alike? In what way do they differ? What has each one come to realize at the end of the story, or how has each changed? How do you understand that realization (or maybe the lack of realization) or that change (or maybe lack of change) of each in contrast to the other?

These are the sorts of questions you ought to be asking yourself. For an essay of this sort, there are no right or wrong answers. The point is to find a way into the work, to make some sort of sense of it, and then to be able to express that coherently. If you can make the argument and make it tight -- your ideas clearly expressed, with supporting details -- then whatever you write works.

And the learning is in that exploration of ideas and the way in which you express them.

Answer 3

Redwood Girl makes a good point. It really does not matter what we think the similarities and differences are. We could tell you what we think they are, but you would have a hard time supporting those in an essay if you have not already formed your own opinion. It is best to read the material, form your opinion, and then discuss that with us if you want good feedback that you can use.