It appears that Louise Mallard is a woman who feels oppressed and trapped in her marriage. Discuss this theme of oppression as it is explored in Kate Chopin’s short story “The Story of an Hour.”   You should have at least three specific textual examples for support.   This textual support should be correctly incorporated and documented according to MLA guidelines.

Choose one of the following essay prompts and write a thoughtful, critical, literary analysis of approximately two typed pages (minimum of 5 paragraphs).

 

  1. It appears that Louise Mallard is a woman who feels oppressed and trapped in her marriage. Discuss this theme of oppression as it is explored in Kate Chopin’s short story “The Story of an Hour.”   You should have at least three specific textual examples for support.   This textual support should be correctly incorporated and documented according to MLA guidelines.

 

  1. After some serious contemplative thought about Calixta in Kate Chopin’s short story, “The Storm,” write a character analysis of her. You should have at least three character traits that can be supported with the text.  Again, your documented textual support must follow MLA guidelines.

 

  1. Discuss Kate Chopin’s use of symbolism in her short story, “The Story of an Hour.” You must use ­­three specific examples/symbols.

 

  1. A possible theme for Eudora Welty’s short story, “A Visit of Charity,” is the treatment of the elderly. Discuss the significance of the setting in the exploration of this theme.  (you may want to read the section on setting beginning on page 195)

 

  1. Discuss the theme of resistance to change as it is explored in William Faulkner’s short story, “A Rose for Emily.” Be sure to provide at least three examples from the text to support your discussion of this theme.

 

  1. Discuss the theme of abuse as it is explored in Zora Neale Hurston’s short story, “Sweat.” Be sure to consider three types of abused explored in the text.

 

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  • Be sure that your essay has a clear and interesting introduction, which includes a thesis (some point you want to make). Your introduction should captivate your reader’s attention and make him/her want to read your essay.
  • Be sure that you indicate the author, genre and title of the work you are analyzing in your introduction.
  • Be sure that you have clear and sufficient textual support for your thesis. This means that you must be sure to cite from the text (using MLA parenthetical documentation) to support your point/s.
  • Be sure that you develop your ideas clearly and effectively.
  • Be sure to use the present tense when discussing literature.
  • Be sure that your essay flows in a coherent and logical manner.
  • Be sure that you use clear transitions between paragraphs.
  • Be sure that you have a conclusion that adds a sense of unity to your essay.
  • Be sure that your essay has: a title/cover page (with a creative title), an outline, is double-spaced and has proper margins and is typed using Times New Roman–12. Do not use italics or bold print.
  • Be sure to indicate which essay prompt you are responding to on your cover page.
  • Be sure that your name appears only on your cover page.
  • Keep in mind that the titles of short stories and poems are enclosed within quotation marks. Such titles are NOT underlined or italicized.
  • Be sure to print your essay on one side of the paper one.