ENGL10001- Modern and Contemporary Literature

Task:

Purpose:

The first essay emphasized the importance of incorporating textual detail in the elaboration of a literary critical argument. The second essay asked you to develop an interpretation of the work as a whole. In this essay we ask you to continue developing both skills, but through comparison of two texts. Drawing on your wide reading and creative thinking, your essay will explore the ways your two texts represent or interrogate a particular theme. You may or may not wish to focus on historical change across the “modern and contemporary” era. We also ask you to develop your argument in relation to current research by responding to the arguments of at least three peer-reviewed secondary sources. 

Assignment:

Select one text from the last part of the syllabus (Danticat, Albee or Murakami) and compare its approach to one of the themes listed below with one other text you have not already written about this semester. (This means you will write about four different texts over the course of the semester.)

Themes (choose one):

City

Shock

Story-telling

Birth

Death

Art

Performance