Write a literary analysis essay in which you examine the narrators in both stories. Address each of the following elements:
Your thesis should make a claim about Poe and his decisions regarding the narrators in “The Tell-Tale Heart” and “The Cask of Amontillado.” For example, you may choose to address why you believe he chose to use these narrators. Remember that your thesis will guide the rest of your essay.
Describe each narrator. Provide specific quotes from each story to develop your description of the personalities and characteristics of each narrator. Remember to tie this content back to your thesis. How does your discussion of each narrator and his personality support your claim?
What motivates each narrator to act in the way he does? How are the motivations similar? How are they different? Include specific quotes from each story to support your discussion. Once again, these motivations should support your claim about Poe and his decisions regarding the narrators.
Evaluate the reliability of each narrator. Are these reliable narrators? Why or why not? Include specific quotes from each story to support your discussion.
Follow the following formatting guidelines:
Your essay should be double-spaced using a 12-point Times or Times New Roman font. Your margins may be no larger than one inch on each side (see the MLA formatting guidelines).
Include a header on each page with your last name and the page number.
REMEMBER: format your essay according to the MLA formatting guidelines included in this document from the BYU Writing Center: MLA Style Formatting
Use informal diction in your writing. It is appropriate to use the personal pronoun in your essay; however, remember this is an analysis essay and should be written very thoughtfully.
You must also submit a revised rough draft. This draft may be revised by you or someone else; however, in order to receive credit for this draft, your instructor must be able to SEE that you have completed the revision process. This means that highlighting a few words here and there does not suffice. Revise it carefully.
It is difficult to put a length requirement on an essay such as this one because, frankly, your essay needs to be long enough to cover the topic appropriately. However, to provide you with an idea of how detailed your essay would be, I would think it would be quite impossible to cover the topic and all of the elements of this topic adequately in under 750-1000 words.
Refer to the argumentative rubric provided for information about how your essay will be scored in different areas. Note that you will be expected to have a clear introduction that introduces the topic of your essay and your perspective. Include a conclusion that restates your thesis and ties everything in your essay together.
