Compare and Contrast the two stories
Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri and The Rocking-horse Winner by d.h. lawrence
-an outline example is in the attachment
-the requirements are in the attachment
1. For your group’s story, determine at least one other story from the list below that would make a good match for the comparison/ contrast essay. What makes a good match? Look at theme, character motivation, character development, antagonists, etc…to find a large, analytical commonality, a point that can be argued. We are looking for the best one!
2. What, specifically, could be compared between both stories?
3. Articulate a thesis statement for an essay based on this comparison. Make sure that it is grounded in analysis, not fact.
4. What points of comparison would you use to prove each thesis statement? Work to supply an outline in either point-by-point comparison or subject-by-subject comparison.
For example:
1. Chosen story: “The Story of an Hour”
Match story: “A Jury of Her Peers”
2. Major point of comparison: the damage an oppressive marriage can do to a wife (a thematic comparison)
3. Thesis: Both Kate Chopin, in “A Story of an Hour,” and Susan Glaspell, in “A Jury of Her Peers,” argue that a wife in an oppressive marriage will suffer extreme damage.
4. Points of Comparison (point-by-point organization)
a. The settings in both stories reveal the oppressive nature of the marriages.
i. Historical setting in “The Story of an Hour”
ii. Historical and physical setting in “A Jury of Her Peers”
b. The symbolism in both stories help the reader understand the transformative power of the oppressive marriage.
i. Symbolism in “The Story of an Hour” (spring, goddess of victory, etc…)
ii. Symbolism in “A Jury of Her Peers” (bird, rope)
c. The titles given to each story underscore the authors’ position on the oppressive marriage.
i. “The Story of an Hour”
ii. “A Jury of Her Peers”
Stories to choose from:
“The Darling” “The Fall of the House of Usher” “I Stand Here Ironing”
“The Yellow Wallpaper” “How to Date a Browngirl, Blackgirl, Whitegirl, or Halfie”
“Girl” “Interpreter of Maladies” “A & P”
“Sonny’s Blues” “Happy Endings” “A Rose for Emily”
“A Jury of Her Peers”