Directions: Write an essay that identifies a major theme in either Carters The Company of Wolves, Carvers Cathedral, Faulkners That Evening Sun, or Colettes The Hand. Then show how relevant elements of fiction (e.g., character, setting, point of view, symbolism, tone, style, irony, etc.) contribute to the storys development of that theme. You should focus on one or two elements at the most, since this is a short paper.
Be sure not to confuse the storys subjects with its themes. Subjects can be identified by single words or short phrases: e.g., marriage, revenge, lawlessness, homoeroticism, etc. A theme, however, is an implicit argument that a literary work makes about a particular subject, typically stated in a sentence.
**Please make sure not to choose a theme that is too general and that can be applied to any story. An example would be: All actions have consequences. As we learn in our lesson on plot, one definition of plot is a series of actions with consequences. Therefore most of the stories we read will involve characters whose actions lead to consequences.
Guidelines:
Its often helpful to start by brainstorming a list of subjects the work is concerned with. From there, you can focus on one that interests you or seems particularly important. Ask yourself: what argument does the story seem to be making about this particular subject? The answer you come up with should serve as your thesis statement.
Aim for some nuance/complexity in your theme. Part of the point here is to look beyond the obvious. Accordingly, make sure the theme you come up with isnt a cliché. If you think the main theme of The Company of Wolves is beware of strangers, you need to push harder.
Assume that your reader is familiar with the story and doesnt need a plot summary. Keep descriptions of what happens to a minimum and focus instead on analyzing the significance of the writers choices with regard to character, setting, point of view, symbols, style, tone, irony, etc. (do not attempt to discuss all of these elements, only those that help support your argument).
Provide carefully chosen quotes from the story as evidence for your thesis. Integrate these smoothly into your own writing and cite using MLA format.* This means any quote should be followed by the page number on which it is found in your text. In addition, you should provide a list of Works Cited** on a separate page at the end of your paper.
You may build on points made in class discussion, but you should not consult any additional outside sources for this paper.
Begin your essay with a descriptive, attention-grabbing title and an interesting introduction with a clear thesis statement that specifies what theme you think the story is supporting without saying, I will discuss character, setting, and point of view in order to argue that a main theme in the story is
Note: the title is mostly for fun and to give you an opportunity to be creative. You will not gain/lose points based on the title.
*Examples of in-text citations using MLA format:
Carver writes, I remembered having read somewhere that the blind didnt smoke because, as speculation had it, they couldnt see the smoke they exhaled (127.)
The narrators lack of sensitivity is illustrated by his statement, I remembered having read somewhere that the blind didnt smoke because, as speculation had it, they couldnt see the smoke they exhaled (Carver 127.)
**Works Cited page:
All quotations should be cited on your Works Cited page using the following format (fill in the name of the author and story you used):
Last name, First name. Title of Story. The Story and Its Writer: An Introduction to Short Fiction, 8th edition, edited by Ann Charters, Bedford/St. Martins, 2011, 123-133.
*Be sure to italicize the books title and center the words Works Cited at the top of the page.
Length and format: Minimum of 3 full pages (750 1000 words), double-spaced in 12-point Times New Roman font, with 1 margins on all sides. Upload this into the course shell under Course Home, Short Paper 1.