English 22
In an essay of 1500 to 2000 words, analyse either romantic entanglements or family relationships as they are portrayed in at least one novel we study this semester. You may approach this essay from a number of directions. For example, you might focus on a single relationship, compare relationships in a single novel or compare and contrast two authors' treatment of the same idea. You might also explore how an idea in one of the novels figures in a poem you've read for this course.
Possible topics might include:
the role of the family in Pride and Prejudice
a comparison of the courtships of Elizabeth and Jane Bennet
a comparison of Roland Mitchell and Randolph Ash as they relate to the significant women in their lives
parallels between Maud Bailey and Christabel LaMotte
Jane Eyre's search for family
a comparison of Rochester and Darcy and how they deal with love
St. John Rivers and Mr. Collins as rejected lovers
Consider the novels to be your primary source. You should be able to back up all your major points with direct evidence from the texts of the works you write about. Rely on your own interpretation rather than secondary critical sources. Do not consult critical discussions of the novels. You may, however, want to consult social histories, biographies and other background sources. If, for instance, you decide examine the character of Bertha Mason, you might look at a study of madness in the mid 19th century. If you decide to consult biographies of the authors, take care in how you incorporate this material into your essay. Use the biographical material to support a thesis grounded in evidence in the novel, rather than constructing your thesis around the biographical material. For example, it is very difficult to prove that Jane Austen is Elizabeth Bennet. However, consulting biographies and letters of Austen can provide you with background information and a sense of Austen's attitude toward her characters.
Please turn in a summary of your thesis idea and plan for support on March 29. A draft for peer review is due on April 10. The final essay is due April 19.