AML 2070-3070

Assignment Sheet: Midterm Essay

Due Thursday, February 19

For your midterm essay, you will need to write a critical analysis (minimum 5 pages, maximum 8 pages) using one of the following prompts (please keep in mind that these topics are merely starting points for your argument and are fairly broad. You will need to create a specific, narrow argument based on one of these prompts):

  1. Analyze the role and importance of sexuality and gender in any one of the novels. Take into account issues such as narrative point of view, publication date of the text, gender of main character(s), etc. Create an argument that discusses the significance of sexuality in these texts and the ways in which sexuality and gender influence the themes and overall ideology promoted by the novel. Consider things such as: is sexuality portrayed positively or negatively? Is it a gendered sexuality (in other words, is the kind of “sexuality” portrayed seen as “masculine” or “feminine”)? How does it relate to the theme of the novels?

Note that if you choose this essay, you’ll need to first outline a definition of both gender and sexuality. Research what kinds of issues are seen as “masculine” and “feminine” (these terms have specific meanings in literary criticism/ideology) and how these are tied into sexual ideologies (normative heterosexuality, for example). Avoid basing your argument on unfounded stereotypes. Rather, utilize scholarly sources to understand the reasons for qualities or issues being differently gendered and then explore how this gendering functions in the text.

  1. Cultural identities are important tools in understanding and creating social, political, and ideological norms. American culture relies on the notion of a distinctly American identity—one or more characteristics that define a person as “American.” Using one of the novels, create an argument about American cultural identity in the text.

Take into account different elements of identity. What is meant by “identity”? How is identity formed? Is it wholly internal or do external elements contribute to identity? What is the significance of identity in the particular text that you’ve chosen? How does the cultural identity of a person depend on other factors? What does it mean for someone to be “American”? How is this definition effected by other factors (race, class, gender, biological sex, historical era, etc)?

  1. Analyze the significance of point of view in one of the novels. Why does the author choose this particular POV for the novel? How does it contribute to the overall meaning of the novel? What is it’s significance and why does the author use this particular narrative strategy? What is denied and/or gained by limiting point of view in this way?

Consider issues such as what knowledge is gained by this particular POV, as well as what knowledge/information is denied to readers. How does POV effect the overall meaning or ideology promoted by the text?

For the midterm essay, you will also need to utilize at least 2 outside scholarly sources. Scholarly sources include peer-reviewed articles from academic journals and books. Both sources must be cited and used within your argument in order to provide textual support for your arguments. A guide to scholarly sources can be found at: http://www.uflib.ufl.edu/instruct/scholarly.pdf

All papers must be correctly formatted using MLA documentation styles. This means that you need to have both in-text citations as well as a works cited page which lists all sources—including primary sources (the novels you are analyzing). A guide to MLA formatting can be found at: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/557/01/

****Remember: This course has a zero tolerance policy for plagiarism. All materials and sources must be correctly cited using proper documentation techniques. The result of any plagiarism (intentional or otherwise) will result in, at minimum, failure of this assignment and may result in failure of the entire course.

Texts available for use:

The Awakening

Native Son

We Have Always Lived in the Castle