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Example 1

Prompt A: In the story you have read, analyze the author’s use of literary devices and identify the device that is most effective in developing the theme.

[The author] uses [literary device] to clearly develop the theme that [theme].

Fitzgerald uses symbolism to clearly develop the theme that hope never dies.

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Example 2

Prompt B: Viewing the novel through an archetypal lens, which character departs the most from his/her archetype? How does this affect the overall message of the text?

While the character of [character’s name] shares many similarities with the archetype he represents, the differences have a major impact on the theme of the novel.

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YOUR Prompt – Create Your Thesis

Read the two stories and select the ONE you feel most comfortable with. Then, write an analytical essay applying the Feminist Critical Perspective to the short story you have selected.
In your essay, identify the messages that the story conveys to the reader when the Feminist Critical Perspective is applied, using cited evidence from the text to develop your points.

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Prompt applied to “The Wife of Bath’s Tale”

When the [story] is viewed through the FCL, the text suggests [theme].
Evidence:

Wife is unhappy: “Are knights of his all so contemptuous?/ I am your own beloved and your wife,/ …. /And certainly I never did you wrong” (lines 236-239). “what sin have I committed?/ I’ll put things right if you will tell me how” (lines 242-243).
Knight has no respect for wife: “You’re old, and so abominably plain,/ So poor to start with, so low-bred to follow” (lines 246-247).
Knight remembers what his wife told him about what women want: “A woman wants the self-same sovereignty / Over her husband as over her lover,/ And master him; he must not be above her” (lines 184-186).
Knight allows wife to make a big choice that will affect them both. Knight: “You make the choice yourself” (line 378). Wife: “And have I won the mastery?” (line 382). Knight: “Certainly, wife” (line 384).
Wife is happy that he has allowed her autonomy and makes a choice that will make them both happy: “So they lived ever after to the end/ In perfect bliss” (lines 403-404).

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Prompt applied to “The Wife of Bath’s Tale”

When the [story] is viewed through the FCL, the text suggests [theme].
When “The Wife of Bath’s Tale” is viewed through the feminist critical lens, the text suggests that everyone would be happier if husbands and wives had equal power in marriage.

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Introduction

Broad, General Topic

Narrowing Details

Thesis Statement

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Prompt A: In the story you have read, analyze the author’s use of literary devices and identify the device that is most effective in developing the theme.

Broad, general topic: The prompt tells you the SUBJECT you should be writing about: how authors use literary devices to develop a theme. All you must do is put this in a statement:

Many authors use literary devices to develop theme. (Easy, peasy, right????)

Narrowing details: This is where you identify the SPECIFIC TEXT you are working with:

In his novel Great Expectations, Charles Dickens uses a variety of techniques to develop his themes.

You may also include SPECIFIC EXAMPLES of the elements used in the text:

Some of the elements that Dickens uses are symbolism, dialect, and contrast.

Thesis: The most effective literary device that Dickens uses to develop the idea that social prejudice is difficult to overcome is contrast.

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Prompt B: Viewing the novel through an archetypal lens, which character departs the most from his/her archetype? How does this affect the overall message of the text?�

Broad, general topic: The prompt tells you the SUBJECT you should be writing about: how authors use a departure from traditional archetypes to develop a theme. All you must do is put this in a statement:

Many authors use archetypal characters to develop their themes. However, not all authors use the archetypes in traditional ways.

Narrowing details: This is where you identify the SPECIFIC TEXT and FOCUS you are working with:

Charles Dickens uses several traditional archetypes in his novel Great Expectations: the poor boy, the rich girl, the all-knowing mentor, and the loving but dumb friend. It is the unique spin he puts on these characters, however, that really bring home his message. (This directly addresses the way the prompt wants you to address the archetypes.)

Thesis: Finally, you state the point you will be developing:

While the character of Pip shares many similarities with the archetype he represents, the differences have a major impact on the theme of the novel.

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YOUR Prompt

Read the two stories and select the ONE STORY you feel most comfortable with. Then, write an analytical essay applying the Feminist Critical Perspective to the short story you have selected.
In your essay, identify the messages that the story conveys to the reader when the Feminist Critical Perspective is applied, using cited evidence from the text to develop your points.
When [story] is viewed through the Feminist Critical Lens, the text suggests [theme].

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