Length: 750 – 1,000 word maximum
In MLA format, write an essay about either Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Unparalleled Adventure of One Hans Pfaall,” Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” or H.G. Well’s “The Time Machine.”
Remember to include your topic sentence and your thesis statement near the beginning of your essay and provide ample support for your assertions. Also be sure to properly reference your quotations and sources, and to include a “Works Cited” page at the end of your essay. You should quote from the primary text (the story) at least once. Some topics you may wish to consider are:
1) Explore how Poe’s story utilizes the concept of technological extrapolation to create a science fiction narrative. Investigate the scientific advancements and technologies that were contemporary to Poe’s time (early 19th century) and analyze how he extrapolated these ideas to create a fantastical tale of space travel. Discuss the ways in which the story’s scientific descriptions and advancements reflect the scientific knowledge of the era, while also incorporating imaginative elements that push the boundaries of what was possible.
2) Examine the use of pseudo-scientific language in Poe’s narrative. Analyze how Poe employs elaborate and technical-sounding terminology to create an air of scientific credibility while describing fantastical events and concepts. Explore instances where the story’s language may mimic the style of scientific writing, even though the content is imaginative and speculative. Discuss how the use of pseudo-scientific language contributes to the story’s atmosphere, engages the reader’s imagination, and blurs the line between reality and fiction.
3) Examine how “Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” reflects the Victorian concept of degeneration theory. Investigate the prevalent societal fears of moral decay and the degeneration of the human race during the Victorian era. Analyze how Stevenson’s portrayal of Dr. Jekyll’s experimentation and transformation into Mr. Hyde embodies these fears, and discuss whether the narrative ultimately supports or subverts the notion of degeneration. Consider the historical context of the novella and the ways in which it engages with Victorian anxieties about morality and scientific advancement.
4) Explore the psychological dimensions of the characters in “Strange Case” through the lens of Sigmund Freud’s theory of the id, ego, and super-ego. Analyze how Dr. Jekyll’s transformation into Mr. Hyde can be interpreted as a manifestation of the id’s primal desires, while his struggle to control this transformation reflects the ego’s attempts to mediate between the id and the super-ego’s moral constraints. Discuss how Stevenson’s narrative can be seen as a case study of these psychological forces and their impact on human behavior and morality.
5) Apply Marxist theory to analyze the class division portrayed in H.G. Well’s
“The Time Machine” through the Eloi and Morlocks. Examine how Wells’ narrative reflects a society sharply divided between the leisure class (Eloi) and the laboring class (Morlocks). Explore how the novella critiques class-based societies, drawing parallels with Victorian-era class struggles and capitalist systems.
6) Investigate the theme of degeneration in “The Time Machine” as a consequence of societal decadence and complacency. Analyze how the Eloi’s lifestyle of leisure, luxury, and lack of challenges leads to physical and intellectual degeneration. Explore how Wells uses this portrayal to caution against the dangers of societal stagnation and a lack of adaptability. Discuss how the novella serves as a warning about the potential consequences of a stagnant and self-indulgent society, linking degeneration to the excesses of a privileged class.
This assignment must be submitted in either .doc or .pdf format. You should quote from the text at least once, and the quotation must conform to MLA standards: the quotation should be properly introduced and grammatically correct with proper documentation in a “Works Cited” page at the end of the essay. If you choose to use secondary material, it must be quoted properly with proper documentation. Failure to do so constitutes plagiarism, a very serious offence. Copying sources from the internet and not citing them is plagiarism; paraphrasing without acknowledging the source is plagiarism.