Write a minimum 4-page essay (1200, not including the works cited) that analyzes a story from a particular critical perspective or cultural context. When you explore the cultural context of a short story, you set the work in a particular time or place. You consider factors such as the characters’ social class and cultural or racial background as well as specific events that occurred at the time in which the story is set or written. Examples of critical perspectives you may use would include biographical, historical, or feminist criticism. Some sample topics are listed below:
You must support all of your analysis with CREDIBLE sources (no wiki, schmoop, enotes, etc). How many? That’s up to you. As long as you back up your thoughts and ideas with reliable research and include AT LEAST ONE OUTSIDE SECONDARY SOURCE. Remember this is MLA 8th edition, NOT APA.
YOU CANNOT GO OVER 25% on the Originality report (no exceptions), or you will get a ZERO.
Here are some examples for you paper:
Biographical
Hemingway’s career as journalist and its effect on his writing style in “Hills Like White Elephants”
Flannery O’Connor’s Catholicism and “A Good Man is Hard to Find”
Historical
Bob Dylan and “Where Are You Going”
1960’s culture and feminist perspectives in “Where Are You Going” or “A & P”
Dystopian Literature and “The Lottery” (Try comparing it to The Hunger Games or Divergent. What do these stories have in common? What is the overall message of each and how do they differ?)
Feminist
Sexism and cultural context in “Where Are You Going” or “A & P”
Gender issues in “Hills Like White Elephants…”
Again, your paper must have an opinionated thesis that makes an argument about something.
In this case it could be as simple as, “I believe it is most effective to look at ‘X’ story from a ____________ perspective.” Include one secondary SCHOLARLY source (book or article somehow concerning your topic), correct format + Works Cited page, and correctly quote from your story and your source.