Comparative Paper (20%) (2-3 pages): For this essay, students will

choose two texts from two different authors, and explore what can be
gained from looking at these texts comparatively. One of the texts
must be something we have read for class, but you are welcome to
choose another source we have not read in class. This source may be
a book, graphic novel, film, song, or episode of a television show. My
one stipulation: the second source MUST be American and published
after 1865.

For this assignment, you will argue a thesis and defend that thesis
with evidence from both texts. Direct quotations must be introduced,
explained, related back to your thesis, and cited in MLA format.
Some questions to consider:

1) What can be gained by looking at these two texts comparatively?

2) How does each explore a similar issue, theme, or concept
differently/similarly?
3) Is one of these texts more successful than the other?

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Due by 11:59 p.m. on January 23

Notes on Comparative Essay

Greetings,

Right now you should be working on Module 2: Part 2,

and your second essay and exam. I wanted to give a
little more guidance on the comparative essay. For this
essay, you can have until the 24th to turn it in; the same
as exam 2.

In the second essay, it is a theme paper, and you are

exploring a common theme in two different works.
One must be from our syllabus, but the other can
be anything you choose. Here is my suggested
thesis formula:
Formula: Author’s name + Work and Author’s
name + work are two disparate works that explore
the theme of name theme differently. Their varied
takes on this theme add to the overall meaning of
each.
This formula might result in the following:
Example: “Desiree’s Baby” and Nella Larsen’s
Passing are two disparate works that explore the
theme of racial passing differently. Their varied
takes on this theme add to the overall meaning of
each. Armand is unaware that he is passing, and
Clare does it deliberately, but in both works, the
hiding of one’s true identity leads to ruin.
If you look at my outline, I suggest that you break
your theme into three subthemes in order to
organize your paper. Next, you would have a
paragraph about each work under each sub-theme.
Here is a sample essay by a student who followed
this guidance nicely:

Sample Comparative Essay _1_.pdf

I am looking for your own insights about a
common theme found in two works; not secondary
sources. However, if you do use secondary sources,
be sure to cite them. For each work, I would like 3
direct quotations with MLA in-text citations. If
you choose a film as your outside classwork, you
still must quote from it. IMDB.com is a good site
to check your recollection of quotations from
films/television episodes.
Also, you can most certainly choose two works
from in-class. Here are some suggestions that you
are 100% welcome to use.
1. Washington and Dubois and theme
of paths to equality for African-Americans.
Subthemes: education, economic opportunities,
and whether or not to compromise.
2. Glaspell’s Trifles and Gilman’s the
“Yellow Wallpaper” and the theme of the
oppression of women.
Subthemes: treatment by husbands, the metaphor
of being trapped, and the end result of this
oppression.
3. Glaspell’s Trifles and Dunbar’s “Freedom” and
the symbol of the bird.
Subthemes: why each feels like a caged 
bird, who is caging them, and what might 
give them the freedom to fly away. 
4. London’s “To Build a Fire” and Jewett’s “A 
White Heron” and the theme of naturalism. 
Subthemes: nature as a character, kinds of 
conflict introduced, and the decision of 
whether to fight nature or be in harmony with 
it. 
If you'd like to email me a draft of your essay 
by Monday, I will give you feedback within 48 
hours.