Paper Assignment

ENL 2010

The idea of this paper is to probe the unconscious. Professors want to read interesting concepts about the literature being studied. By critically writing about the literature, a student is more likely to create a wonderful subject to explore when it comes time to choose a major term paper topic. These papers should serve as springboards for future work.

All papers will be typed and double-spaced with a one-inch margin all around (5 - 7 pages (the works cited page does receive a page number in succession)). Remember to staple your paper before handing it in. No cover sheet or folder please.

The student is to provide at least three instances of proof from the story, poem, or play (the primary source) he/she is working with in order to make his/her point understood. That means quotes from the text. Of course the student will demonstrate thesis capability, unity of work, grammatical adequacy, and honed MLA skills as with all assignments for this class.

You are required to use secondary sources (at least one primary source and at least four secondary sources). Be sure you are using valid databases for your research like JSTOR, Literature Research Center, and the Oxford English Dictionary all found on the library website through electronic resources. The works cited page should contain at least five sources. Be sure your sources are VALID. You should use the Virtual Library to alleviate this burden; however, if you choose to use “other” electronic sources, be forewarned: If you attempt to include a source from the internet that is not valid, then I will consider it an error and subtract that source from your works cited page. If you are left with under the minimum number of sources, then your grade will be docked accordingly.

Remember that even if you cannot find articles about your specific pieces of literature or your focused thesis, writers frequently employ the same techniques and themes in much of their work. Read as much criticism as you can about your chosen work; you will be surprised how much information is available to give you insight into your particular work.

Paper Length: 5 – 7 pages plus the Works Cited page

Due: October 26^th

Possible Paper Topics for ENL 2010:

Possible Topics / Ideas to Consider for this Paper:

Beowulf

What have you learned about society, the contemporary milieu, from Beowulf?

Discuss the poet’s sense of dramatic contrast in Beowulf?

“General Prologue” Geoffrey Chaucer

Write a detailed analysis of a character, or pair of characters, from the "General Prologue." Be sure to construct an argument about--not just a description of--Chaucer's characterization of his pilgrim.

Everyman

What political commentary does Everyman make about the abuses of the Church? Does the play support or defy the sanctity of the Church?

Ralegh and Spenser

“The Nymph’s Reply to the Shepherd” Sir Walter Ralegh also see William Carlos Williams “Raleigh Was Right" and Christopher Marlowe “The Passionate Shepherd To His Love”

According to Ralegh, what does the pastoral vision ignore?

“October,” and “Sonnet 54” Edmund Spenser

Draw upon three similarities in Spenser’s two poems.

The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus Christopher Marlowe

What is the function of the Chorus in Doctor Faustus?

“Marlowe sneered at the conceits of euphuism and brought the blank verse line to a point of being a powerful vehicle with which to treat elevated themes with seriousness and conviction.” By citing specific examples from Dr. Faustus, illustrate why Marlowe is/is not worthy of the above praise.

One view of Faust’s story is that he presents some aspirations and impulses to power of the “Renaissance man.” On the other hand, Spiess’s Faust Book sees him as an example of just punishment inflicted upon a godless sinner. From the evidence in the play, what do you take to be Marlowe’s view?

According to Mephistopheles, Hell is not necessarily to be conceived as a definite place. Find and comment on passages in the play from which we can draw a definition of the nature of eternal punishment.