Paper #3 English 103
For Paper #3, you will be composing an analysis of one of the following stories from Arguing About Literature.
1. “Two Kinds” by Amy Tan (308)
2. “Rich Brother” by Tobias Wolf (326)
3. “Sonny’s Blues” by James Baldwin (339)
4. “Yellow Woman” by Leslie Marmon Silko (488)
5. “What We Talk About When We Talk About Love” by Raymond Carvor (505)
6. “The Sleep” Caitlin Horrocks (703)
7. “The Lesson” by Toni Cade Bambara (878)
8. “Saboteur” Ha Jin (884)
9. “The Company of Wolves” by Angela Carter (1072)
10. “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien (1082)
Your analysis should be composed using one of the ‘Critical Approaches’ detailed in the appendix of Arguing About Literature (page 1094). A critical approach is also called a lens or a point of view, and is governed by an aesthetic principle, a political disposition, a philosophy, an ideology, a methodology, or ethical system. This lens should determine the focus of your essay. Some of the stories will lend themselves more readily to particular critical approaches. For example, a feminist critique is particularly useful for an analysis of “The Yellow Wallpaper”.
Your first task will be to research the history, principles, and/or methodology of the critical approach you choose. A good place to begin will be to familiarize yourself with the works of any writers, philosophers, or other academicians who are associated with the approach. For example, if you choose ‘Deconstruction,’ you would want to become familiar with the works of Jacques Derida. If you choose ‘New Historicism,’ Michel Foucault would be a good place to start (The excerpt, “Carceral” which we read in class, is driven by the same ideas as ‘New Historicism’). You can also look at other critical treatments of the story that take the same approach that you do. Your final paper should include 4 sources including the story itself.
Once you have familiarized yourself with the tenets of the critical school of thought, you will identify an issue and formulate an arguable claim. Your essay will be evaluated using the following criteria:
• Your understanding and utilization of the Critical Theory
• Your effective integration of sources
• The sophistication and soundness of your argument
• Writing style, mechanics, and proper use of MLA format