Cutting up stones

Final Essay Options As we come to the end of the course, it’s time to pull everything together. You’ve read, discussed, reflected, and written your way through powerful stories that connect literature and global health, and now you’ll get to show what you’ve learned through one of two final essay options based on Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese.

You’ll choose one of the following:

Option 1: Write a Book Review with a Global Health Twist

Think of this like a review you’d write for someone who hasn’t read Cutting for Stone but is curious about its themes. Summarize the novel, but don’t stop there; share your take on how Verghese explores big issues like medicine, family, and healing. Focus especially on how the story reflects what we’ve learned about global health in this course. You can use the book review tips to help you stay on track.

Option 2: Explore the Theme of Death and Dying

If a certain scene or storyline about loss, grief, or end-of-life care stuck with you, this one’s for you. In this essay, dig into how the novel deals with death and dying. What does it say about culture, dignity, or healthcare at the end of life? How does it connect to what we’ve learned about global health challenges like palliative care, access, or ethics? Make it thoughtful and personal if you’d like—this is your chance to reflect deeply.

Guidelines

• Your essay should be at least a minimum of 500 words. Please meet the length requirement to avoid point deductions.