Instructions. Please write an essay of roughly five to eight double-spaced pages (approx. 1.500-2.500 words). Discuss at least two of the three authors (Poe, Chopin, and Greene) exarnmcd in thissection of the class. Use at least three examples to support your arguments. Choose ONE of the fattening topics:
1) Examine the issue of friendship. Discuss at least three "friendships" described in these works (for the purpose of this essay, you may also treat romantic relationships, marriages, and kinship relationships as .friendships.") Are these positive or negative relationships? What do they say about the nature of friendship or what friends should ask of each other? What do they say about the importance of true friendship? What are we meant to learn from these excellent and/or flawed relationships?
2) What do these works say about the nature of evil? You may consider any combination of the following topics: the kinds of people and behaviors that can be considered evil, the conditions or temptations that might drive an otherwise pond person to be evil. the kinds of "evil" that are not Maly mil (e.g.. someone who is "naughty" but not `evil"), the kinds of evil that can be forgiven or excused, what the presence or absence of genuine evil in a story might say about that story and its author. the relationship between -evil- and 'sin." how people can make amends for the evil they have done, and how we should respond to the evil committed by others.
3) Consider at least three female characters from these works. How do these characters reveal what the authors consider "good" or "bad" women (or what they consider "proper" or "feminine")? To what extent are these characters realistic or idmlized? How are the authors using these characters to comment on the general nature of women or the general nature of relationships between men and women? What is the significance of these characters?
4) John Gardner says that literature should present "valid models for imitation." Consider at least three characters who you think are meant to be (or clearly not meant to be) such models. What is it about them that make them worthy (or unworthy) of being imitated, in thought and/or word and/or deed, by the audiences who experience them. In addition, to what extent are they "valid," in the sense of being sympathetic or believable enough to be effective? Gardner, for example, reams us shout "cornball morality," characters who are so perfect that people may reject them because "no one is like that!" and then perhaps also give up on the values they represent. Of coursc, some characters are good but flawed, or sympathetic but evil, m some other mix of good and bad characteristics, and you may consider the effecu and significances of such -mixed models."
Some tips for success...
•Wharyou are Hying to demonstrate is not simply that you have read the books (or watched the films), but that you have thought about them One way to do this is to not only use examples covered in class discussion, but also other examples thatwere not mentioned (or at least not mentioned in much detail).
•You do not have to cover everything. In general, it is better to use three to six examples (characters, etc.) with a lot of details than to me a larger number of examples that have fewer details.
• Back up your claims with examples from the books. If you use direct quotes, be sure to format them properly (APA format is preferred), be careful not to overuse them, and be sure the quote you are using actually backs up the point you are trying to make (you may need to add some explanation for some quo.).
• While it is not required, you may use scholarly or historical sources (including articles. introductions, etc in your editions of the works) or other literary works or films to back up your ideas. Be sure to focus m the assigned texts, though. Ifyou use secondary, sources. please be sure to cite them properly.
• Do not just summarize the works and then briefly comment on them. In some eases, a brief summary is useful, but generally you should assume your audience is already familiar with the works you are discussing; long summarim are rmely needed. Instead, focus on those sections of the works that support your ideas.
• Consider common themes. Rather than simply talking about the texts in isolation, fi nd places where you can draw conn.ions, where they cover the same theme or idea, agree or disagree on some issue, etc.
• Talk about significance. One option for an effective conclusion is M consider what we can learn from these texts, why they might be relevant, why we should read them, and an on.
• Take time to proofread. edit, and revise your paper. Feel free to work in groups outside of class to share ideas, proofread drafts, etc.
• Remember that this is an informative essay written in an academic setting, designed to demonstrate your lmowledge of the texts and your ability to argue a point logically and effectively. Focus on the ideas you think you can prove, using evidence from the text or other sources, and avoid purely personal continents.