For this assignment you will compare and contrast two characters from two different
stories (Collette’s “The Other Wife” and Pirandello’s “War”).
1. Choose two characters you wish to compare/contrast.
2. Create a character chart for each character. Make sure that you have enough to
write about. Exhaust all aspects of each character. Be sure to include specific
references and quotations from the text to help support your claims. Place your
two character charts side by side.
3. Determine how the characters are alike. Do they have similar roles, face similar
conflicts, share similar values, and/or perform similar actions?
4. Determine how the characters are different.
5. Do they carry out different roles within the story? Do they respond to conflicts
differently? Do they resolve their problems differently?
6. As you begin to think about your rough draft, you must first plot out what you
plan on accomplishing in each paragraph of your essay. All essays must have an
introductory paragraph, four body paragraphs (minimum), and a concluding
paragraph. You should strive to have paragraphs of at least seven sentences.
7. Your paper must be 2 to 3 pages long (font 12-Times New Roman, typed and
stapled), in MLA format, and submitted in class.
8. Your introduction must state what texts, authors, characters and ideas are under
consideration.
9. Your thesis will be a brief statement of what can be learned from your paper: the
similarities and differences that you have observed from your careful analysis.
This should be a general overview of things to come. Details belong in the body.
10. Your body paragraphs will need to be carefully organized so that each paragraph
is supporting your thesis. For example, when doing the contrast part of your
paper, show how the two characters differ with regards to two or three issues,
devoting a separate paragraph to each issue.
11. Your conclusion should be a summation of the major points of the
comparison/contrast you have demonstrated. At this point, it is appropriate to
suggest which character seems to reflect the point of view or value system of the
author, or with which character you sympathize. Before this point, try to be
objective and non-judgmental in your discussion of the characters.
