Order #377221 Topic: Comparitive Essay

It must be passed into me in person (preferably in class that day, but if you are unable to attend, please email me and arrange an alternate time to meet with me at my office). Your paper must follow MLA guidelines. For each day that it is late, 5% of the total score will be subtracted. It should be approximately 1000 words (but slightly shorter or longer is fine).

You must write on two of the following short stories (all from The Penguin anthology):

King’s The Baby in the Airmail Box Swan’s The Man Doll Moore’s The Lonely Goatherd Crummey’s Heartburn

Using one the following essay prompts, create a specific argument. You can email your chosen thesis to me for advice before you begin writing (or if you prefer, speak with me after class or arrange to meet with me during my office hours).

1) In many works of literature, romantic relationships between characters create, clarify, or complicate central themes of the work; or, in other words, these texts use a romantic relationship—positive or negative—to contribute to the meaning of the work as a whole.

Choosing two of the short stories that we have studied, compare and contrast the ways in which they use romantic relationships to deepen a common, central theme. Be sure to explicitly state what this theme is (i.e., the negative influence of technology, a lack of communication, or anything else that stood out for you from within the stories).

2) There are many forms of prejudice explored in these short stories, including racism and sexism. Compare and contrast the impact that these biases have in two of the short stories that we have studied. Some questions to consider: how is prejudice shown (are any devices, such as satire, irony, or science fiction used) and how does it influence characters and/or plot; what does the author suggest about these sorts of harmful stereotypes; and so on. Remember to ‘take an angle’ —do not merely state that prejudice exists in these stories, but rather explore what larger significance it plays in society and what the story seems to be teaching the reader about making such judgements.