In the essay, you will compare and contrast a major theme in two works by two different writers (for example, treatment of religion, gender and/or class distinctions, representations of society, representations of the hero/heroine, marriage/relationships, death, nature, childhood, imagination, etc.) or consider changes in genre between two different periods studied. You may choose any two works, but at least one work must be from the Romantic, Victorian or Modern period (any text studied after the midterm exam-from Blake to Hardy/WWI poetry). In order to be successful, your essay must have a clear, focused thesis, which is supported in a well-organized manner. You will need to draw on textual examples to support your points but direct quotation is not required.