Aidoo's Changes final

Please read carefully the guidelines for the longer literary analysis paper on  Changes (5 full pages and a Works Cited page on page 6) and the structure of the paper (check the PAGES).

Please post the introduction (or outline) of your paper by Tuesday, April 25, 11:59 pm (*This is not a graded assignment). Please try to post your introduction (or outline) of the paper over the weekend, so that you have enough time to revise and expand your paper.

The paper is due on Thursday, April 27 (*I will make the posting site available on Wednesday, April 26).

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Instruction for the Introduction (one paragraph - about 10-15 lines):

1. Please put a tentative title that reflects the thesis of your paper.

2. Italicize the title of the novel. It is an MLA style.

3. Begin the introduction with the author's name and the novel and put a sentence that shows your summation of the novel -- Ama Ata Aidoo's novel  Changes (1991) is . . .

4. Please briefly summarize the plot in your own words (about 3-4 lines).

5. Connect your summary of the plot to your thesis. Your thesis should be put at the end of your introduction.

6. Make sure that your thesis is clear, and the thesis has 3 analytical points (ideas, not characters) you want to argue and prove in body paragraphs.

7. Try to avoid using “I,” "We," or “You” in analysis papers.

(Thesis Example) Although Aidoo shows some changes in modern Ghanaian society, the novel highlights the dilemmas and obstacles many educated women face in Ghanaian society, due to/ because of (point 1) _____________, (point 2) _____________, and (point 3)_________________. 

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How to come up with a clear and strong thesis

Do not list three female characters in your thesis. Your thesis should be your analytical points based on your analysis of the novel, and you should use characters as textual examples to prove your points in body paragraphs.

Do not describe HOW Esi's life has changed (not about HOW) in your analysis paper-- this tends to describe what happened to the character and becomes more like a plot summary. Instead, you should focus on analytical points and provide your analysis of the novel- (i.e.) Why did Esi marry Oko if she did not love him? What does marriage mean to women in Ghanaian society? Why is Esi's decision to divorce Oko considered "unrealistic" in Ghanaian society?

Your analysis paper should NOT be focused on HOW Esi, Opokuya, and Fusena are controlled by their husbands or trapped in their marriage (*This kind of paper tends to be more about the progression of the plot, which is a plot summary.) Your analysis should focus on WHY characters acted the way she/he did and what the actions signify/imply/symbolize:

 - WHY (not HOW) Esi could not get out of her unhappy polygamous marriage with Ali and what her decision signifies.

- WHY Opokuya could not successfully negotiate with her husband regarding her use of the car.

- WHY Fusena could not voice her objection to Ali's decision regarding her teaching career; WHY did Fusena end up saying "yes" to Ali's decision to have a second wife?

- WHAT Esi's giving her old car to Opokuya signifies.

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Outline of the Paper for Feedback

1. Thesis (3 analytical points)

(Thesis example) Although Aidoo shows some changes in modern Ghanaian society, the novel highlights the dilemmas and obstacles many educated women face in Ghanaian society, because of (point 1) the male-centered view of marriage in patriarchal Ghanaian culture, (point 2) _____________, and (point 3)_________________.

 

2. A topic sentence that refers to point 1 (*Please note that the topic sentence should not be about the plot) 

Example of a Topic Sentence based on the above thesis (point 1: the male-centered view of marriage in patriarchal Ghanaian culture)- (e.g.) Aidoo highlights the issue of marriage as a major challenge to professional women in Ghanaian society due to its dominant patriarchal culture

Two or three textual examples (direct quotes with the page numbers) - Be sure to choose effective quotes that prove and support your analysis. (Do not choose a quote that is about what happened to the character.)

 

3. A topic sentence that refers to point 2

     Two or three textual examples (direct quotes with the page numbers)

 

4. A topic sentence that refers to point 3

 Two or three textual examples (direct quotes with the page numbers)