Put Simply:
Select a theme, character, conflict, or concept in one of the stories or poems read in class, and write a 4 page analysis of that idea. Use quotes to support your ideas, including at least one quote from a critic or scholar of the piece you chose.
In Detail:
We’ve spoken at length about many passages from Henry James’ Washington Square, and have identified a number of themes within James’ subtle, almost coy, and–as described by critics in James’ time–”clever” scenes. We’ve looked at how a text can be “unpacked”: that is, closely read from sentence to sentence, breaking down these moments bit by bit and examining them for the greater elements of narrative that they speak to.
As readers and scholars, your assignment is to engage a story or poem discussed in class on a deeper level. You are not simply proving that there is a theme in Washington Square, or that symbolism exists in “The Jolly Corner”- that is granted. You are going further and examining the impact of the symbolism, the impact of the theme. You are carefully analyzing the subtleties within a text. Also, as scholars, your assignment is to be familiar with some of the scholarship on the author you chose to write about. For our purposes you will not need to be a professional historian on your author. You will, however, be required to quote a scholarly work on your author.
Where to start:
The introduction to our edition of Washington Square is meant to serve as an introduction to new readers of James, and to provide those more acquainted with James with a general understanding of the scholarship surrounding Washington Square. It also includes some in-depth analysis of various themes within the book. This is an example of superior writing on literature, and a great place to search for ideas and inspiration.
Example prompts:
1) How does Catherine Sloper’s relationship with her father evolve, and what are the implications in the novel?
2) How does the classic theme of romance get treated by James?
3) Morris Townsend’s relationship with Aunt Penniman seems a sketch of Morris’ relationship to women. Explain this.
4) The Doctor’s meeting with Mrs. Montgomery illustrates the Doctor’s relationship to Catherine and perhaps the world at large. How does the scene create this impact?
5) How do long paragraphs in James resolve?
6) How does H.P. Lovecraft incite fear in his readers?
7) Why does Whitman’s “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry” remain an important poem today?
Identify a theme in Whitman’s poems and expand on it.
So…requirements:
1) Formatting
Your paper should include, in the following order:
Title Page
Content of the Paper (4 pages).
References Page
The paper should be written in APA formatting (page numbers, title page, etc.) with APA-style documentation of sources. It should be in 12 pt, Times New Roman font, with 1” margins on all sides, and double-spaced. The body of your paper should be no less than 4 pages (not including title and reference page).
2) At LEAST three quotes from the text that support your thesis.
a) Remember, you are selecting longer quotes to unpack piece by piece. Do not, as I have warned against, quote and move on. Take your time writing about your quotes.
3) At LEAST one quote from some literary scholarship or critical text on the piece you have selected.
c) You MAY NOT use Wikipedia as a source.
Late Papers
Late papers will be marked down for each meeting that they are late, as discussed on the first day of class. If your paper is going to be late for good reason then please e-mail me to let me know BEFORE the due date to discuss an extension. Explanations on the day the paper is due, or the day after, are not needed. Simply hand in the paper at the next class meeting.
EMAILED PAPERS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED – NO EXCEPTIONS
Tips
-Take your time. This is your last paper, and counts for a large portion of your grade.
BE SPECIFIC. Select a specific idea (a specific relationship between characters, a specific character, a specific setting or scene) and create a concrete thesis.
REVISE! Egregious errors in spelling and grammar will effect a paper’s grade.
USE APA properly. At this point much attention has been given to this format, and it will effect your grade if you are way off format.
GOOD LUCK.
