Abo Hussein

Paper One: Assignment Description

Introduction: This first essay assignment will require you to think critically and analytically about a specific text we have discussed and read in our course thus far; specifically, you will write on either Aphra Behn’s Oroonoko, or Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. The idea behind any prompt choice is to illustrate that you have an advanced understanding of either text by articulating your own, unique argument, which will ultimately underscore how the text speaks to the cultural, political, historical, and/or social context during the time the work was written. The final paper must be a minimum of three pages, and should be no longer than five full pages (Note: The three -page minimum does not include the Works Cited page).

Instructions: In your essay, you will argue for a particular interpretation by taking a specific stand in response to one of the writing prompts. In doing so, you must support your claims with specific examples from the text. Please remember that in addition to citing specific passages of text, you must (briefly) explain those passages or lines to your readers.  Never assume that the text speaks for itself, but also keep in mind that this is not a book report; it is not your job to provide a comprehensive, thorough summary of the text. Additionally, do not utilize outside sources for this paper; the intent here is that you will develop your own insightful and analytical interpretation of the text at hand. NOTE: Consulting Sparknotes, Schmoop, and/or CliffNotes is absolutely off limits for this assignment. Before you write your paper, it would be useful to be aware of the expectations associated with literary analysis and writing a paper on a literary text. One concept is that the ideas discussed show originality but depend heavily on the text. This means that papers/arguments don't depend on biographical reporting or plot summarizing, except as it helps emphasize a point in your analysis. To help you with this assignment, and to provide you with a complete overview of the analysis process, I've linked a helpful webpage from the Writing Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill onto our Canvas page. It would be a good idea to peruse the link before you begin writing your draft.

When you are direct quoting or paraphrasing, cite passages from Oroonoko or Frankenstein as they appear and are represented in the editions we used in class, unless you have otherwise gotten my approval to use a differing edition. Therefore, you only need the author last name and page number when providing in-text citations of the literature. You should also include a Work Cited Page for whichever text you chose, despite the fact that you are not using additional sources. For information on how to cite sources, consult the MLA quick reference guide from the Macomb Reading and Writing Studios, that I provided to you. You can also visitthe MLA Style Center at: style.mla.org

Grading Criteria: Here is an overview of what I will be looking for as I read your papers:

1. Thesis, main idea, interpretation: To achieve a mark of “A,” the argument should be insightful, original, and contain a complete thesis statement and a “roadmap” for the body of the paper in the introduction.

2.  Development of argument through body: To achieve a mark of “A,” the body paragraphs must develop the thesis with increasing conceptual nuance, and concede and refute counterarguments where applicable.

3.  Command of course material: To achieve a mark of “A,” each primary claim should be supported by textual evidence by utilizing both paraphrasing and direct quotations.

4.  Citations: All necessary citations must be in proper MLA format. Papers that do not cite the text in MLA or fail to cite at all will not be graded.

5.  Style/structure: To achieve a mark of “A,” the argument should be concise and clear. Additionally, paragraphs should be organized in coherent sequence, and the paper must include effective transitions.

6. Grammar/syntax: To achieve a mark of “A,” the paper must refrain from grammatical and/or spelling errors.

Paper One Topic Prompts: CHOOSE ONLY ONE

1. (Oroonoko): It is no secret that Aphra Behn’s protagonist, Oroonoko, presents a conflicting case as a likeable main character. Therefore, would you argue that Oroonoko is a heroic figure, or conversely, is he an antihero? Choose only specific stand here, and use examples from the text to elucidate your argument. As you consider your answer here, it would help to consider Oroonoko’s characteristics, motivations, and actions throughout the novella.

2. (Oroonoko) Both Oroonoko and Imoinda play a major role within the novella, only in differing ways. One aspect of the novella that is integral to the plot is the love story between the two and the role their marriage plays within the text, which includes moments such as their struggle to be together in the first half of the narrative, their emotional reunion during slavery when they fall happily into each other’s arms once again, and of course, the moment when Imoinda passionately agrees with her husband’s choice to kill her and their unborn child in the narrative’s dramatic conclusion. Upon considering the romance and the relationship between Imoinda and Oroonoko, what would you argue is significant in terms of how their relationship is situated within the novel? In other words, what message or point do you think Behn is trying to convey to her readers about love, honor, and/or loyalty? Use examples from the text to support your answer.

3. (Frankenstein) In the novel’s preface, Percy Shelley writes under the guise of Mary Shelley, stating, “I have thus endeavored to preserve the truth of the elementary principles of human nature” (3). In other words, Shelly is stating that the novel is an accurate portrayal of the ways that humans think, act, behave, and interact with each other; in essence, the novel is a realistic depiction of human nature. Consider how this concept applies to the characters in the novel, specifically in the cases of Victor Frankenstein or the creature. If you had to apply Shelley’s words to either Victor or the monster (but not both), what attributes of human nature do you think are accurately reflected through your chosen character? Use specific examples and support from the book. For this prompt, I would advise you to stick with only one major characteristic; this will make for a much more compelling and developed argument, and it will be easier and more manageable for you to write.

4. (Frankenstein) One of the longest running debates concerning Frankenstein is whether or not the creature is actually as malevolent as he is depicted in the novel and in popular culture. For this prompt, I would invite you to continue this discussion by arguing whether or not the creature is truly a “monster,” or conversely, is he a misunderstood creation who is more humane than primal? Use specific examples and support from the novel. As a tip, if you choose this prompt, I would challenge you to go deeper than merely analyzing the creature’s outward appearance and behavior; in other words, consider also his motivations, thoughts, and characteristics. Alternative option here: If you are stuck on making a case for whether or not the creature is either humane or monstrous, I would also be open to an argument that conversely argues for Victor Frankenstein as either a human or a monster. Victor’s will be an interesting case, since he is undoubtedly a human being in the physical sense, but some would say he also arguably contains qualities of both humans and monsters, just like his creation. If you select Victor, pick one side of the argument, and argue it using support from the text.

5. (Either Oroonoko or Frankenstein) As the name of our course is entitled “World Masterpieces,” one of the central themes and discussions of our class is analyzing how each text is upheld as a classic piece of literature, or something that belongs in the literary canon. Again, as a reminder, the Bedford Glossary of Critical and Literary Terms defines the literary/artistic canon as “a body of [written] works accepted as authoritative or authentic.” In other words, these works accurately reflect certain cultural, social, and historical ideologies reminiscent of the respective time period during which they were written, and are considered timeless. Keeping in mind that both Oroonoko and Frankenstein are considered canonical, make a case that argues for or against either of these texts belonging in the literary canon. You should select only one of the texts here, and it will be essential to be as specific and concise as possible in articulating why or why not these texts belong in the literary canon. As with the other prompts, it is essential that you use support from the novel.