For this essay, choose any of the following topics below and apply it to one of last two novels.
(The Good Soldier or The Emperor’s Babe)
Evaristo, Bernardine. The Emperor’s Babe (2001)
Ford, Ford Madox. The Good Soldier (1915)
You will need to narrow the topic to make it manageable for the essay and angle it to make it meaningful. While it is important to
acknowledge the obvious elements of a novel, the most compelling and original arguments will then move to analyze other less obvious
parts that may be overlooked by most readers. For example, for topic #1, instead of selecting characters that quite clearly appear to be
either “good” or “bad,” try to choose more ambiguous characters and develop your own analysis of them; or choose characters that might appear to be one way, either “good” or “bad,” and then argue that they are actually the opposite. Remember that your essay must follow
the conventions of English essays and use MLA Format.
1. Positive and negative characters: Complex characters are usually only indirectly revealed as “good” or “bad” through details, actions,
and characteristics. Explore the narrative indications that suggest certain characters are positive or negative or explore how certain
characters transition from negative to positive (or vice versa).
2. Gender issues: Consider the male and/or female characters, and how they resist or conform to the gender roles that society has
assigned to them. Explore how gender influences the characters’ available choices or affects the characters’ development.
3. Realism and setting: Examine the physical setting (i.e., the city, date/time, architecture, furniture, and props), and consider its
significance to the plot or the effect it might have on the characters. Explore the elements of the settings that suggest symbolic meanings or provide insight into certain characters.
4. Class issues: Membership in a certain social class might affect characters’ choices, or affect the way they view, or are viewed by,
others. Explore how certain characters feel about the different social classes, and how class issues or economic struggles affect them.
Important
The essay is consists of an opening, three paragraphs and a conclusion.
An opening may mention the author and book. Begin each body paragraph with a clear topic sentence that introduces the point and
links back to the argument.
Follow the standard structure of three body paragraphs.