Literary Analysis of Two Texts
formal, argumentative essay of literary analysis will put into conversation two different texts from our readings (Molière’s Tartuffe, Swift’s A Modest Proposal, Basho’s The Narrow Road to the Deep North, Douglass’ Narrative, Baudelaire’s poetry, Keats’ poetry, Ghalib’s poetry, Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler). The essay must have a thesis statement that makes a claim on how the two different texts address a single question or stage a problem. The main thesis or claim should be supported by textual evidence in the form of citations that are explained and analyzed in detail throughout your paper. Comparisons should pay attention to the complexities and particularities of each text. You might ask the following thematic kinds of questions across these works:
-How is violence represented or critiqued? How so?
-What is the relationship between the natural and the artificial?
-What does it mean to be an individual?
-What is our relationship to the environment/planet?
-What is the relationship between the spiritual and the secular?
-How do we distinguish between the real and the false or the real and ideal?
-How do we form collectives/groups within our identities?
-What is the significance of writing? What can art do?
-How do we distinguish between the abstract and the concrete?
Aim to address a tension or conflict you see in two works and think critically about how these tensions are presented. Draw parallels and show the distinctions between the texts. Avoid generalities and unfounded assumptions by being specific in your thinking/writing. One of the best ways of doing this is by focusing on the texts. I encourage you to write around the textual evidence, moving from observation (what is the passage expressing?) to more detailed analysis (how is it expressing it?). Don’t assume we read the text similarly and that I know what you’re pointing out.
