Reference no: EM133319413

TASK: Choose ONE of the topics below to determine a general direction for your essay, then develop a complex, arguable thesis that you will support in your essay.

You may narrow the topics down in ways that are interesting to you, as long as you develop a complex thesis that allows you to analyze the novel fully and deeply, while demonstrating critical thinking.

Topic Choices:

Use Psychoanalytic Theory to analyze one character's relationship with another character.

Examples: you CAN choose one of these, but you can also develop your own focus.

Analyze James' treatment of Nath from this lens: how does James' behavior towards his son reflect his own "desires, fears, needs, and conflicts of which [he is] unaware," as Freud would say?
Analyze the relationship between Nath and Lydia: how do Freudian concepts play out in their relationship?
Analyze how Hannah (yes, I mean Hannah, not Lydia) is treated by her parents from this lens: How does their treatment of Hannah reflect their "desires, fears, needs, and conflicts of which they are unaware," as Freud would say?
Use Critical Race Theory to analyze one character's behavior and/or interactions with one other character from this lens. Examples: you CAN choose one of these, but you can also develop your own focus.

What does the text reveal about how James' conflicts with internalized racism and assimilation have shaped his character and behavior towards Lydia?
How does Marilyn's white privilege impact her relationship with James?

Use Feminist/Gender Theory to analyze one character and their relationship with any other character: Examples: you CAN choose one of these, but you can also develop your own focus.

What does James's character reveal about the impacts of traditional gender expectations on men?

In what ways does character X (choose any one) either conform to or reject traditional gender expectations and what impact does that have on them?

Use Queer Theory to analyze one character or relationship: what does the novel reveal about the operations of homophobia (socially, politically, psychologically)? Examples: you CAN choose one of these, but you can also develop your own focus.

How does the novel contribute to our knowledge of queer or gay experiences and history through Jack's portrayal?

Analyze Nath's relationship with Jack: what does the novel reveal about the operations of homophobia (socially, politically, and/or psychologically)?

Content Requirements/Grading Criteria:

As always, I evaluate your essays based on this rubric. In addition, I expect you to:

Use the introductory paragraph to introduce the novel and author, provide a brief summary that will provide context for your thesis, and state your thesis at the very end of your introduction paragraph.

Offer a thesis that makes a specific, interpretive claim about the novel. Your thesis should offer an insightful and interpretative claim that demonstrates critical thinking about the entire novel, rather than a simple statement of fact.

Organize logically: Each paragraph should directly relate to and develop part of your thesis, and each paragraph should flow logically from one point to the next.

PLEASE NOTE: the events of the book jump around in time from present to past, but to prove the point that you want to make in this essay, it may make sense to arrange your paragraphs and textual evidence in chronological order, not in "page order". Think carefully about how to organize your paragraphs to make a logical argument. Use transitions to help "connect the parts" of your essay.
Use the PIE paragraph method for your body paragraphs. That is:
start with a clear point rather than a fact. Then,

illustrate your point with specific and convincing evidence from the novel. For this essay, please use at least 5 pieces of textual evidence (so probably 2 pieces of textual evidence per paragraph). Integrate and cite your quotes appropriately.
Choose your evidence in such a way that you demonstrate your careful reading and analysis of the entire text--that means, select quotes from different parts of the novel.

Be sure to cut your quotes down to JUST what you need (you don't want huge blocks of quotes in your essay). See instructions on how to format your quotes below under Technical Requirements.

Explain what led you to your conclusions. That is, provide your analysis and interpretations. Always balance textual evidence (quotes) with equal or more analysis and commentary from you that demonstrate your close and careful reading of the novel. Avoid summarizing! Avoid generalizations or vague statements. Offer specific, text-based analysis only.

Use the conclusion paragraph to emphasize your thesis and make a case for "so what?" (What lesson should readers take from the novel and your paper? Why do the topics you chose to focus on matter?)