Choose one of the following and construct an essay
using the Classical Argumentative format:
o In
many stories a character has a misconception of himself or his world.
Destroying or perpetuating this illusion contributes to a central theme of the
story. Choose a story with a major character to whom this statement applies,
and write an essay in which you consider the following questions: (1) what the
character’s illusion is and how it differs from reality as presented in the story,
and (2) how the destruction or perpetuation of the illusion develops a theme of
the story.
One theme often used by authors is the rite of passage, which shows that
growing up is a hard, painful process. Using one of our stories, describe the lessons learned by a young
protagonist. Discuss the effects
of the knowledge the protagonist gains.
Many stories include a deus ex machina, an outside force
or agent that suddenly appears to change the course of events. Consider the effects of a deus ex machina in one of our
stories. What is the outside force
in the story? How does it change
the story’s action? How plausible
is such a dramatic turn of events?