Writing 10 Comparative Analysis Papers - ENG 1302 Spring 201

Writing 10 Comparative Analysis Paperenglish 1302spring 2015synopsi

Write a paper that compares at least four of the given literary works, summarizing the essential points made by the writers about conformity and rebellion. Your analysis should identify common themes and differences among the works, and your conclusion should include your brief comment evaluating the authors' arguments. The paper should be 3-4 pages long, double-spaced, with a Works Cited page in MLA format, and is aimed at first-year college students and teachers. Incorporate quotations and paraphrases to support your points, ensuring proper citation. The focus is on insightful connections among the works beyond simple labels of pro- or anti-rebellion or conformity. The paper must be well-organized, clearly written, and mechanically correct. This assignment emphasizes critical reading, interpretation, and analysis, with an emphasis on making nuanced connections among the texts.

Paper For Above instruction

In American literature, the tension between conformity and rebellion has long served as a central theme, reflecting the nation’s cultural values and contradictions. Writers across different periods have explored these opposing ideals, often highlighting the struggles individuals face in balancing societal expectations with personal identity. By examining works such as Ralph Ellison’s “Battle Royal,” Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery,” Amy Tan’s “Two Kinds,” and Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken,” we can observe varying perspectives on rebellion and conformity, their implications, and their intersections.

Ralph Ellison’s “Battle Royal” presents a scathing critique of racial and societal conformity. In this story, Black men are forced into degrading performances to entertain white patrons, exemplifying the oppressive conformist pressures that demand surrender of personal dignity. Ellison underscores the destructive power of societal expectations that confine individuals based on race, illustrating rebellion as a necessary act of self-assertion in the face of dehumanization. Similarly, Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” exposes conformity’s dark side through the sinister ritual of a community’s annual sacrifice, which the townspeople unthinkingly follow to maintain tradition. Jackson critiques the human tendency to conform to societal norms even when these norms are morally unacceptable, warning of the destructive potential when individuality is sacrificed for collective stability.

Contrasting these narratives, Amy Tan’s “Two Kinds” explores rebellion within the context of familial and cultural expectations. The story recounts a daughter’s rebellion against her mother’s relentless push for her to become a prodigy, revealing internal conflict between personal desire and societal pressures. Tan illustrates rebellion as an act of self-discovery, necessary for asserting identity against imposed roles. In the realm of poetry, Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken” symbolizes individual choice and the courage to diverge from conventional paths. Frost emphasizes the importance of personal agency in shaping one’s life, subtly endorsing rebellion against conformity when it aligns with authentic selfhood.

These works collectively demonstrate that while conformity can serve social cohesion, unchecked adherence can lead to moral and personal compromises. Rebellion emerges as an act of resistance, asserting individuality and challenging oppressive norms. However, the authors also suggest that rebellion is complex—it may be rooted in desperation, cultural conflict, or the pursuit of authenticity. The subtle nuances among these texts underscore that rebellion and conformity are not simply binary but exist on a spectrum of human experience, often intertwined and context-dependent.

In my assessment, the writers’ arguments are compelling yet nuanced. Ellison powerfully critiques societal dehumanization, illustrating rebellion as an act of reclaiming dignity. Jackson's depiction of arbitrary tradition underscores conformity’s potential for evil, prompting reflection on moral responsibility. Tan’s portrayal of internal rebellion offers insight into personal growth amid cultural tensions, while Frost’s poetry champions individual choice as a pathway to authenticity. These perspectives collectively deepen our understanding that rebellion and conformity are intricate aspects of human identity, shaped by social, cultural, and personal forces. Together, they invite us to consider the ongoing tension between societal expectations and individual authenticity, encouraging critical engagement with the norms that govern our lives.

References

• Ellison, Ralph. “Battle Royal.” In Shadow and Act, 1953.
• Jackson, Shirley. “The Lottery.” The New Yorker, 1948.
• Tan, Amy. “Two Kinds.” The Joy Luck Club, 1989.
• Frost, Robert. “The Road Not Taken.” The Atlantic Monthly, 1916.
• Brooks, Gwendolyn. “We Real Cool.” 1959.
• Piercy, Marge. “Barbie Doll.” 1971.
• Owen, Wilfred. “Dulce et Decorum Est.” 1917.
• Hardy, Thomas. “The Man He Killed.” 1902.
• Brooke, Rupert. “The Soldier.” 1914.
• Auden, W. H. “The Unknown Citizen.” 1939.