You have one week from the date this assignment is given to turn it in.

Transcription

1 Short Story Compare and Contrast Analytical Essay Assignment Formal Paper - Writing the Analytical Paper (Lesson 5, handouts 5 7) You have one week from the date this assignment is given to turn it in. You may choose from Suggestions for Writing from Perrine s p. 588 # s 1, 3, 5, 6 or 8 (you must use the stories listed that means you need to read them) Your analysis must involve a comparison and contrast of two short stories A graphic organizer will be included to help you with this task In your analysis, be sure to discuss any of the applicable elements that have been covered throughout the unit (plot, characterization, theme, p.o.v., symbol, allegory, fantasy, humor, irony, etc.) Must be typed in standard font MLA format with works cited page (you must cite the Perrine text as well as any other sources that you reference) Minimum 5 paragraphs Thesis must be the last sentence of your introduction if there is no thesis, your essay will not be read and will receive an automatic F. NOTE: An analysis assumes that the reader of your essay is familiar with the texts you are analyzing. For that reason, plot summary is not necessary. I m asking you for an analysis, so AVOID PLOT SUMMARY (see pg of the Perrine text) Worth 100 points Due Plagiarism DO NOT DO IT!

2 Short Story Unit Compare and Contrast Essay Graphic Organizer Directions: Use this graphic to organize your thoughts as they relate to each story for the devices listed. Story #1 title: Device Story #2 title: Author: Author: IMAGERY TONE CHARACTER SETTING

3 PLOT DEVELOPMENT & DEVICES FIGUARATIVE LANGUAGE DICTION POINT-OF- VIEW OTHER (SYMBOLS. ALLEGORY, ETC ) THEME/ PURPOSE

4 Sample AP Compare and Contrast Essay Many people find it difficult to distinguish reality from fantasy. They are daydreamers who most often find themselves alone and lost in the world. Paul, of Willa Cather s Paul s Case and the protagonist of Araby by James Joyce are two examples of these types of people. They both attempt to grasp for what they truly want, only to find that what they desire is out of reach. They come up short of what they want and instantly become self-aware of the mistakes they have made. Both stories use, among other things, imagery, characterization and colorful language to achieve this effect. The imagery of both Paul s Case and Araby is particularly vivid. The audience gets a taste of what the main characters are feeling through a stirring of the senses and emotions. Light is a common feature in both stories. Paul finds himself outside of a hotel staring up at its glory and, [seems] to feel himself go after [a woman] up the steps, into the warm, lighted building, into an exotic, a tropical world of shiny, glistening surfaces and basking ease (249). The light gives Paul a feeling of wonder and excitement. While Paul is in New York the lights [stream] from the hotels (258). It is as if Paul s dreams of enjoying a rich life are right in a spotlight. In Araby, the main character desires the love of his friend Mangan s sister. He mentions that the light from the lamp opposite [his] door caught the white curve of her neck, lit up her hair that rested there and, falling, lit up her hand (26). Once again, what the main character desires is spotlighted but out of reach. A second form of imagery found in both stories is the weather. In Paul s Case, Paul is waiting in the rain looking up at the hotel when a quick gust of wind [brings] the rain down with sudden vehemence (249). It is as if the elements are telling him that his dreams are out of reach in a harsh manner. In Araby the protagonist is in his house thinking of his love when he hears the rain impinge upon the earth, the fine incessant needles of water playing in the sodden beds (25). It feels as if the sound of the rain is interrupting his thoughts and telling him to stop dreaming. The characters of both stories display similar characteristics, traits, and personalities. Both are daydreamers. When Paul sinks into one of the seats at his beloved Carnegie Hall, he [loses] himself (248). The protagonist of Araby also claims he wastes his waking and sleeping thoughts on innumerable follies (26). It is this daydreaming that keeps both boys from grasping reality. Both boys also are alone in the world because they don t have a true connection with another human being. Paul s father is not a large part of his life, and Paul is ashamed of him. The main character of Araby lives with his aunt and

5 This paragraph needs examples from the text and explanations uncle and is ignored by them. This causes both boys to feel a sense of isolation and loneliness, so they must escape to their dreams. Both boys attend school and have trouble paying attention in class. Paul [finds] the schoolroom repulsive (254). He considers the school and the teachers to be a joke (254). Araby s main character [answers] few questions in class (26). He also says that he cannot call his wandering thoughts together (26). Neither boy has stable learning habits in classroom and so both are isolated from their teachers and peers. This only causes them to be separated from responsibility and in turn, reality. The language and diction in both stories is full of color. Both are brought alive in detail and description with memorable, dreamy images, details, and colors. These descriptive images, including metaphors and similes, engage the audience and allow them to get lost as they read, similar to the characters themselves. The language and diction match the minds of the main characters. Through the elements of diction, imagery, and character, Cather and Joyce create works that parallel the fantasy world of the characters. These elements also foster the end results of the selfawareness and attaining of reality in both characters. Thanks, Jill, for sharing your work with AP teachers.