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Essay Available:
Pages:
4 pages/≈1100 words
Sources:
6 Sources
Style:
APA
Subject:
Literature & Language
Type:
Essay
Language:
English (U.S.)
Document:
MS Word
Date:
Total cost:
$ 14.4
Topic:

Analysis of the Connection between Literary Themes and Culture

Essay Instructions:

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU READ ALL BELOW. I've included all readings and you must no less then six in text-citations. Read below. Thank you!
CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN VOICES
Assignment Overview
Case 4: Cultural Literary Analysis
Length: no less than 1,000 words, double-spaced, Times New Roman, 12 pt font size
In addition to your own thoughts, words, and ideas, this essay is to include TWO credible and reliable secondary sources.
The first person "I" is not to be used in this essay.
Case Assignment
In an organized and well supported essay, discuss the connections between theme and culture in two or more of the selections below.
“The Lesson,” Toni Cade Bambara
https://www(dot)cengage(dot)com/custom/static_content/OLC/s76656_76218lf/bambara.pdf
“Phenomenal Woman,” Maya Angelou
https://www(dot)poetryfoundation(dot)org/poems/48985/phenomenal-woman
Maya Angelou, “Still I Rise”
https://www(dot)youtube(dot)com/watch?v=qviM_GnJbOM
Sandra Cisneros, “Three Wise Guys”
https://www(dot)whatsoproudlywehail(dot)org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Three-Wise-Guys-Sandra-Cisneros.pdf?x65350
Sherman Alexie, “Good Hair”
https://poets(dot)org/poem/good-hair
Sherman Alexie, “On the Amtrak From Boston To New York City
https://www(dot)poemhunter(dot)com/poem/on-the-amtrak-from-boston-to-new-york-city/
“Culture” is the combination of the social behavior and norms of a particular group and may include knowledge, belief, customs, and habits of those in the group. In this essay, consider the writer’s theme or “message,” specifically as it relates to the specific culture in which he or she is writing.
Unlike Cases 1-3, this essay includes a bit of background readings, or “research.” In support of your own interpretation, you will also include additional points of view on the writings and/or on the writers themselves.
This essay must include a combination of no less than SIX in-text citations from at least two credible and reliable secondary sources that have been written on the selections or the writers. Citations must be in proper APA Style and a Reference List must be included.
Please note that uploaded student essays are scanned by Turnitin. Please be sure that essays include only the thoughts, words, and ideas of the writer.
Essays must be double-spaced in Times or Times New Roman font (12 cpi) with standard one-inch margins and no less than 1,000 words of text.
The first person "I" is not used in a formal essay.
A well-organized essay has a beginning, middle, and an end. The beginning, or introduction, should include an opening sentence to grab your reader’s attention. Follow the opening sentence with a very brief synopsis of the play. Be sure to always include an author or poet’s full name in the introduction of the essay. After that first instance, only the surname is used. The last sentence of the introduction is the thesis statement. The thesis states the main point of the essay.
A well-supported essay includes supporting points, details, and examples. Each body paragraph must support (explain) your interpretation (analysis) and each body paragraph should begin with a topic sentence that states the main point of the paragraph.
The conclusion typically summarizes the main points of the essay and/or closes with a lasting impression that connects the reader to their world.
Be sure to proofread your essay and edit for proper grammar, punctuation, diction (word choice), and spelling, as errors in sentence skills will lower a final grade. A grade will be determined based on the Module 4 Case expectations and the Trident University General Education rubric for English found in the course syllabus.
Assignment Expectations
Write a Cultural literary analysis (no less than 1,000 words in length) that states an original thesis statement and includes no fewer than six citations in APA Style from no fewer than two credible and reliable sources.
Demonstrate the ability to write clearly and cohesively when expressing one’s ideas and/or intended purpose.
Demonstrate the ability to clearly state and support a thesis in an organized and cohesive essay.

Essay Sample Content Preview:
Analysis of the Connection between Literary Themes and Culture
The culture of a society is based on the language, customs, beliefs, and way of living practiced by the people in that society. American culture is a harmonious blend of various ethnic groups united with American ethical and social norms based on the principles of individual freedom, gender, racial and religious equality, indiscrimination, and liberalism. Women’s individuality, space, and freedom of self-expression are also integral to American society. Besides the European Americans, indigenous Americans, Native Americans, and African Americans make a considerable part of American culture. Based on their struggle and cultural evolution history, these groups project their cultural values via different forms of expression. Critical analysis of some contemporary American artists reveals that pride, vanity, encouragement, and dedication to their respective cultures are the main themes expressed in their works. The following paragraphs substantiate this fact.
Native Americans are the actual residents of the regions where the United States is located; these people migrated to this region nearly 12000 years ago. After the European invaders occupied their land in the fifteenth century, they became culturally subdued and marginalized (Reich et al., 2012). Nevertheless, they keep their cultural norms intact, and in modern-day America, these native Americans make up an active and thriving segment of society. Sherman Alex is a native American writer and poet who uses his work to accentuate native American cultural norms. In his 1966 poem, “Good Hair,” he uses one of the essential elements of Native American culture and standards, “cutting of braid,” to highlight its cultural significance. This poem’s theme relates to native American culture as an indigenous part of American society. With a robust ironical tone, Alex asks questions to the native American boy who has cut his braid; these questions imply resentment and grief over the boy’s violation of a cultural norm. This way, Alex shows his passion and pride for his native American culture.
Cutting the braid is a native American custom performed to express silent mourning over the death of a relative, and the regrowth of the braid symbolizes the end of the mourning period (Mitchel, 2020). Alex shows his resentment of cutting braids in the form of various sarcastic questions, such as he says: “Do you grieve their loss? Have you thought twice about your braids?” (Alex, 1966). These questions reflect Alex’s passion and dedication to his native American cultural norms, as he does not seem okay with this blatant violation of his culture. In the same way, this poem also reflects on the poverty and financial crises that form part and parcel of native American culture. Due to poverty, native Americans squander their money on boozing, and many of them lose their lives; Sherman Alex’s father was one of these people (Mitchel, 2020). Consequently, this poem reflects native Americans’ low social and cultural status in American society and the poet’s grief over his father’s death. At another place, Alex asks the question: “Were the scissors impulsive or in...
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