Literary Essay 1--Thesis Statement
Hi Class!
By 9:00 p.m. Friday (8/25), please post your thesis statement for the literary essay that's due next Friday. I'll read them over the weekend and give you some feedback. Also, please read other people's posts so you can get an idea about what other students are choosing for topics.
By 9:00 p.m. Friday (8/25), please post your thesis statement for the literary essay that's due next Friday. I'll read them over the weekend and give you some feedback. Also, please read other people's posts so you can get an idea about what other students are choosing for topics.
posted by Cheryl Makovsky at 1:26 PM
25 Comments:
By opening the shell to emotion, Khaled Hosseini in The Kite Runner captivates while revealing turmoil and struggle residing within every human as the characters, and particularly Amir, seek liberation in the aspects: family, friends and life itself.
Man...that was hard.
In The Tempest, Shakespeare utilizes the motif of master-servant relationships to develop a theme that justice will be served in the end, giving each his own according one's actions and purpose.
In his novel, East of Eden, John Steinbeck parallels the story of Cain and Abel with the lives of two brothers and the natural jealousy and guilt involved in their relationship to establish the theme of forgiveness and repentance.
I want to focus still on human nature a little bit because that really did interest me, especially about the relationship between brothers and their love/hate relationship that sometimes controls their life. Is this still too broad?
The minor character Guthrie has many different sides of his life revealed which each individually contribute to the complete construction of his personality and his altogether add to the impact on the novel itself.
In Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner, Rahim Kahn tugs at Amir's conscience to teach him the ultimate life lesson that true redemption is when guilt leads to good.
I wanted to say how Rahim Kahn seemed to be the "conscience" of the book, but I'm not quite sure if I did that.
Megan F.
Instead of arguing that Victoria is "profound," find a more particular focus for the paper. For example, explore the symbolic significance of her pregnancy. Or argue that she functions as a foil. Your thesis needs to have a clear and precise focus. Tighten it.
Jimmy N.
Your thesis states the obvious. Find an element to explore that will challenge you and enlighten your reader. Study a minor character, perhaps. Figure out what that character's purpose is in the novel--how that minor character relates to this theme of change. Write about something that perplexed you. Figure something out in your essay.
Sarah E.
Your original idea (about the kite) wasn't bad at all, as long as you avoided stating the obvious.
This thesis seems only to state a theme--one that is somewhat obvious. Focus on a literary element and show how it contributes to the theme. Find a symbolic representation of this theme and write about it. If you want to study Baba or irony, then make that clear. Be sure your thesis answers a question that you had about the text.
Matt L.
Your thesis looks interesting. If you run into any problems, see me. Good luck!
Katie S.
Writing a thesis is the most difficult part of the paper. Once we get a thesis, the fun part begins.
Your thesis is much too broad--it covers the entire book! Select one element and explore how that element relates to the thematic idea. Choose a minor character, a detail about setting, a pattern of images. Zero in on something small that piqued your curiosity or confused you.
Aly W.
Your idea is fine, but tighten and control the thesis. It's too wordy.
Nathan H.
I like your topic very much. I assume you're going to discuss Ferdinand and Miranda as well as Caliban, Ariel, and Prospero. My question is, does Ferdinand's stint as a slave relate to the justice theme also? How? I wonder if the theme is broader than what you have stated....See me for a chat some time next week if you would like to discuss this further.
Julie S.
Baba is your topic, then? If so, be sure to state his purpose in the thesis. What exactly does he contribute to the theme? Does he function as a symbol in any way? Is he a character foil? Explore how the writer uses him. Your thesis needs to state an idea that requires proof.
Jesse!
Your thesis is much too broad. Which two characters are you planning to study? How do they relate to each other? How do they relate to Inman? Do they function as symbols? The thesis should focus on how the author uses these minor characters to develop his theme.
Danait-
Add a statement about the overall meaning of the novel. What does Hassef help us to understand about guilt? Don't leave your reader wondering, So what?
Jonathan H.
Your topic looks interesting. Are you going to explore bloodshed also? Does that also ties in symbolically to the theme you have stated? I assume you'll deal with this in your essay......
Megan M.
A motif (a recurring image pattern) is usually a symbol--so you can use either word.
No need to say both complete and "wholistic"--redundant.
Also--Does a knot suggest completeness to you? Explain why. I see a knot as being elaborate, complicated and useful--but I don't see how it functions as a sign of completeness. Be sure to explain that idea.
I love your topic, but I'm not sure I understand your thesis. Go ahead and begin writing the essay. You can go back and tweek the thesis as your ideas take root. Have fun!
Brett E.
Your thesis states the theme of the book, but doesn't do what the assignment requires. Focus in on a particular element--a minor character, a pattern of images, a detail about setting, point of view, irony, etc. Show how the smaller element contributes to the theme. Study how the writer works. Write about something that piqued your curiosity or that confused you.
Your thesis doesn't have a focus yet.
Aly A.
Exploring the Cain and Abel allusion is certainly a valid topic. Be sure to figure out why Steinbeck alludes to this Biblical story, what it contributes to his overall theme. In other words, don't merely point out the similarities. Also analyze the point that Steinbeck is driving us to.
Also, state the theme
of "forgiveness and repentance" more precisely. What exactly does the novel say about repentance and forgiveness? Your thesis is a bit wordy.
Rachel--
It looks like you have a topic--Guthrie. Your thesis must clarify what this character's role in the novel is. Is he a symbol? Is he a character foil? Exactly what is his impact on the novel? Define those elements in your thesis. Be precise.
Betsy-
You don't really have a thesis yet. Maybe you have a focus--Hassan. Your thesis is stating the obvious right now. Get to a deeper level. Ask yourself if this minor character functions as a symbol or a character foil. Explore any perplexing elements that surround this character and figure out why the author included them.
Kelly--
I understand your struggle. I wonder if part of your trouble is because the book is rather obvious.
Your thesis is too broad--contains too many topics. Select one--setting (America), Hassan (as doppleganger), or the motif of poverty. You can't do all of them!!!
Emma--
Why aren't you in bed??? 12:50 is the time for sleep, not for writing a thesis!!!
Your topic is unique--but your thesis doesn't really argue anything. You need to do more than draw parallels between the two characters. Instead, argue that by paralleling The Odyssey and Kite Runner, we can gain deeper insight into the nature of the hero. Then proceed to study Amir in the light of Odysseus and get to some interesting ideas about heroism.....
Haley--
In your thesis, say, "Rahim is the conscience of the book." That clarifies his symbolic purpose. Add that to what you've written about the theme.
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