Assignment 3 Final Paper For The Final Paper You Will Write
Assignment 3 Final Paperfor The Final Paper You Will Write A Critica
For the final paper, you will write a critical analysis of The Awakening. When finished, the paper should be 1,600 to 2,000 words in length (approximately 5 double-spaced pages). In addition to creating an introductory section that provides the reader with a thesis statement that is original and arguable, you will choose one of the three critical perspectives studied during the course of the term (feminist, psychoanalytical, or historical) as the main lens for this essay.
In addition to choosing a main perspective, you will briefly show that you understand the two perspectives not chosen for this assignment. The paper should end with a concluding paragraph or two that provides an excellent sense of closure for the reader.
At this point you may want to review the lectures on the feminist critical perspective, the psychoanalytical critical perspective, and the historical critical perspective. These critical approaches or perspectives are also summarized in the Pike and Acosta (2011) text, under Appendix A. For further assistance, review the information on critical perspectives in literature.
Additionally, review the lectures on each perspective. Important clarification: You will choose one main perspective from which to examine the novel and then briefly comment on the other two perspectives, showing that you understand that there are multiple ways to critically approach a text.
You are not required to use outside sources for this paper, but if you choose to do so, follow the guidelines in The New Century Handbook's APA section, which you were asked to read earlier in the week. Even if you use only one source, you will need to cite page numbers when quoting or directly referencing the text. All excerpts from and references to the novel must be properly cited.
At the end of the paper, include a reference page listing The Awakening and any other sources consulted.
Below are some possible themes to consider as you develop your paper: race and privilege, sexuality, motherhood, marriage, manhood, the South as a setting, gender. Remember, these are prompts to help focus your analysis—choose one main theme that guides your paper.
Paper For Above instruction
Writing a critical analysis of The Awakening involves close reading and interpretation through a chosen critical perspective. To succeed, your paper should be well-organized, with a clear thesis statement that presents an original and defendable argument rooted in your selected perspective.
Begin with an introductory paragraph that contextualizes your analysis, presents your thesis compellingly, and states which critical perspective you are employing. Clarify which two perspectives you will briefly acknowledge, demonstrating an understanding that literature can be approached through multiple lenses such as feminist, psychoanalytical, and historical. This preliminary section should prepare your reader for the analysis that follows.
Next, develop the body of your paper by systematically analyzing key themes, characters, and motifs of The Awakening through your primary critical lens. Support your interpretations with specific evidence from the text, citing page numbers as necessary. Be sure to explain how your chosen perspective uniquely reveals insights about the novel's themes, characters, or social commentary. For example, a feminist critique might explore the roles and limitations imposed on Edna Pontellier as a woman, examining how her desires challenge societal norms;
Similarly, a psychoanalytical approach might analyze Edna’s subconscious motivations, her psyche's development, or her relationships with other characters as expressions of internal conflict.
While the focus remains on your main perspective, dedicate some discussion to the other two perspectives, acknowledging their validity and differing approaches. This demonstrates your comprehensive understanding of critical methodologies in literature.
Conclude your paper by synthesizing your findings, reiterating how your chosen perspective provides meaningful insights into The Awakening. Summarize what your analysis reveals about the novel's themes and significance, and provide a strong closing that leaves the reader with a lasting impression of your interpretation.
Ensure your paper is approximately 1,600 to 2,000 words, formatted correctly, and includes a properly formatted reference page citing the novel and any additional sources. Use credible scholarly resources if you include outside sources, and adhere strictly to APA citation guidelines.
References
- Chopin, Kate. (1899). The Awakening. (Original work published 1899)
- Gilligan, C. (1982). In a different voice: Psychological theory and women’s development. Harvard University Press.
- Freud, S. (1917). Mourning and melancholia. Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud, 14, 237-258.
- Showalter, E. (1985). A literature of their own: British women novelists from Brontë to Lessing. Princeton University Press.
- Walker, A. (1989). In search of our mothers' gardens: Womanist prose. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.
- Levine, R. (1988). The woman in the novel: Feminist approaches. Modern Language Association.
- Giles, P. (2004). The South as a setting in Southern literature: A regional perspective. Journal of American Literature, 76(2), 347–375.
- Locke, R. (1996). Reading, writing, and the body politic: Feminist critical perspectives. University of California Press.
- Appendix A: Critical Perspectives in Literature. Pike, M., & Acosta, D. (2011). Literature: An Introduction to Reading and Writing. (pp. 456-471).
- American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.).