The Role of Irony Literature & Language Essay Research

Due Date:  December 16 (to be uploaded via Brightspace)

The test consists of you writing one essay response to the following themes.  As you will see, the themes are broad, so a big part of your response involves you creating a clear, specific thesis about the theme you have chosen.   I would like you to discuss the theme and pursue the thesis in relation to two of the works that we have discussed in class.  And so, I would like you to discuss two authors for the essay, e.g. one on Schnitzler and Remarque or one on Remarque and Kafka, etc.  As we did more than one work by Kafka, your range is a bit more open in regards to what you can choose from him.  Your essay should be approximately 1,500 words. 

Here are the themes:

Power and Powerlessness

Literature and History

Learning and Failing to Learn from Experience

For example, you might look at the themes of power and powerlessness  in “The Penal Colony” and in All Quiet on the Western Front or you might look at the role of class in La Ronde and All Quiet on the Western Front, etc.  Some of these responses will inevitably be compare and contrast in structure; when it comes to such essays, structure your paper in terms of ideas instead of discussing one work for half the essay and another work for the other half. As with your previous essays, you must use proper essay structure:  a clear introductory paragraph that closes with a specific, strong thesis; paragraphs organized around topics that support your thesis and that are structured in a clear, logical way; a sense of transition from point to point; evidence from the text that supports your thesis and/or supporting points; and, finally, a strong conclusion.

As always, please let me know if you have any questions.