1) Examine Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal" and explain how he utilizes the art of satire in order to show the societal ills of England, Ireland, and America through decision, wit, and irony. Also discuss how he is able to make the reader, regardless of time period, see their own faults with regard to apathy and hypocrisy.
2) Alexander Pope's The Rape of the Lock examines the "epic" "battles of the sexes"/ How does he portray the ladies in this poem? Specifically, what are the most important aspect of their lives? Likewise, discuss the concept of manhood in this poem. What are the most important aspect of their lives? What are they out to "win" How does Pope's portrayal of these gender issues heighten the humorous aspect of this satire?
3) What is the function of Clarissa's speech in The Rape of the Lock? What is her thesis? How is it regarded by her audience and what does this response indicate about Hampton Court society?
4) Ihara Saikaku's "The Barrelmaker Brimful of Love: is a tale of Osen, a girl who "loved love". Compare & contrast this naive girl to Belinda from Pope's The Rape of the Lock and discuss how both view love, themselves, and their responses when love does them harm.
5)If SAikaku's work is to be considered that of realism, explain how the motivation for Osen's affair with Chozaemon can be considered realistic?
6) Toyo-o in Akinari's tale of the literary fantastic, "Bewitched" is a character who must go through a transformation in order to become a man. Discuss his transformation and how he moves from a state of delighted, ignorant immatrurity to cautious, aware manhood. At what point does he prove he has achieved maturity and how does he prove it?