ENGL 1102

Prof. Bishop

Spring 2010

Essay #2

Due: Monday, 29 March 2010 by noon in Turnitin.com.

Objective:

Students will demonstrate the ability to synthesize information, analyze a short story (or stories), and demonstrate insight into the treatment of women in 20^th century literature by writing an argumentative-analytical essay using the critical lens of feminist literary criticism.

Directions:

For this assignment, students will write an argumentative-analytical essay of at least three pages (but no more than 5 pages), adhering strictly to MLA standards, that addresses one of the following topics below. You may use one of the three essays on the web site to assist you in making your arguments, but no other sources may be used. The essay will be graded using the class rubric available on the course web site.

Topics:

A.     In Susan Glaspell’s play Trifles, the women decide to hide the box that serves as a tomb for the dead canary. Make an argument about how the formation of an ethical community that must operate outside of patriarchal rules is a form, to use Gilbert and Gubar’s language, of “killing the aesthetic ideal.” Be specific in your examples and make sure you thoroughly analyze the evidence you present.

B.     Make an argument about the representation of Nora Torvald as a character who is outside the sphere of reality, to use Sherry Ortner’s words. Explain why the infantilization of Nora is problematic and what Ibsen does to challenge this behavior. Explain why this kind of treatment is detrimental to both men and women. Be specific in your examples and make sure you thoroughly analyze the evidence you present.

C.     Make an argument about the community formed by the women in both texts. How are the women able to communicate with one another in these gender-based communities in ways that they are not otherwise permitted to talk or behave? How do the women in Trifles come together to protect Mrs. Wright? How do Nora and Kristine come together to form a community? What role does this community have within the text? Be specific in your examples and make sure you thoroughly analyze the evidence you present.

D.     Make an argument about the flawed nature of the angel/monster dichotomy based upon your analysis of any of the female characters in Trifles and/or A Doll House. Be specific in your examples and make sure you thoroughly analyze the evidence you present.

E.      Make an argument about the how gendered authorship influences the outcome of the women’s situations. In other words, how does Glaspell’s being a woman influence our view of what happens to Mrs. Wright, Mrs. Hale, or Mrs. Peters, and consider how Ibsen’s gender influences his treatment of both Nora and Kristine. Make a case for why you think the author’s gender influences the outcome of the plays. Be specific in your examples and make sure you thoroughly analyze the evidence you present.

Additional points to remember:

· For this essay, I will be looking, specifically, at thesis development and organization.

·         No outside sources may be used. Only classroom materials are permitted for this assignment, which means you may use the three documents on the course web site.

· Any essay citing an outside source will fail for not following instructions.

· The essay must be in MLA format, including font, margins, heading, header, double-spacing, title, page numbers, in-text citations, and a works cited page.

· Please review the rubric for specific grading criteria.

·         Email the professor at jebishop@highlands.edu if you have questions.