Essay #1
Paper due: February 9
Word count: 500
Choose one story, "Young Goodman Brown" or "A Rose for Emily," and write an essay in which you discuss a cogent, analytical thesis. The essay should generally answer the following questions:
1. How does the setting of the story contribute to our understanding of
the theme?
2. What do you see as the main conflict of the story's protagonist?
3. How does the author develop our understanding of this conflict?
Cite at least three scenes, events, or
exchanges that dramatize the problem and the protagonist's conflict.
Quote--accurately and frequently--to prove
your point.
4. How does the story end?
Consider answering one of the following sets of questions in developing your thesis:
1. In "Young Goodman Brown," why does Brown's life end tragically? Can you explain why, as the narrator says, "his dying hour was gloom"? How or why did he lose his "Faith"? Do you believe there is a reason underlying his decision to give up trusting people? Is it justified, in your opinion? Why or why not?
2. In "A Rose for Emily," why does Miss Emily refuse to bury Homer Barron? What is she being "true" to? And why does she "get away with it"?
Remember--the beginning to writing a good essay is asking a good question. The answer to these questions should allow you to arrive at an argumentative thesis.
Some additional tips:
1. All papers should be typed, double-spaced, and fastened with a paper clip. Avoid using fancy binders, plastic folders, or report covers--these will be turned back. Do not write a separate title page. Instead, include your name, the course, date, assignment number in the upper-righthand corner. Skip two lines, and center your title on the page. Remember to use page numbers after the first page. All papers should be prepared on a word processor and a copy, both on disk and paper, should be kept in a safe place.
2. Give your essay a precise, pointed title. Don't send your paper like an orphan out into the world. Sum up the main idea, and include the author and title of the work.
3. Quote from the text. Use specific details and quotations in developing your point. When you quote, provide page numbers in parentheses after the quotation. Do not provide a footnote to a text we are using in class. Do not use ellipses, except within the body of a quotation where you have left out words. The final punctuation in a sentence that quotes from a story should come after the quotation marks and the parenthetical reference.
4. Always proofread. If you wish, you can offer to read someone else's essay, and they can return the favor.