Create a character analysis essay built on close readings of one text from Module 1. You will focus on one specific aspect of the characterization and provide support from the text. Remember that characterization may be revealed through the character’s own thoughts, speech, and actions; through another character’s speech, thoughts, or actions toward that character; through the narration. You may also wish to reference other elements of fiction if they help you analyze that aspect of the character.
Choose a specific topic from the list below or create your own topic with my approval. Your unique topic must be approved by the instructor before you begin to write. If you write on an unapproved topic, you will not earn credit. (Note: you only need to choose ONE of these topics for your paper; you do not need to select one topic from the sympathetic/unsympathetic section and one from the static/dynamic.)
- Approved topics:
- Choose one of these characters and discuss whether he or she is sympathetic or unsympathetic. Be sure to discuss how the author creates (or does not create) sympathy for the character.
- Rip Van Winkle from Irving’s “Rip Van Winkle”
- Protagonist from Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper”
- Paul from Lawrence’s “The Rocking-Horse Winner”
- Choose one of these characters and discuss whether he or she is static or dynamic. Be sure to discuss how the character changes (or does not change) in specific ways over the course of the story.
- Goodman Brown from Hawthorne’s “Young Goodman Brown”
- Peyton Farquhar from Bierce’s “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge”
- John from Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper”
- Hester from Lawrence’s “The Rocking-Horse Winner”
- Choose one of these characters and discuss whether he or she is sympathetic or unsympathetic. Be sure to discuss how the author creates (or does not create) sympathy for the character.
