Our readings this semester have focused on the imagery, metaphors, and symbolism used to represent illness and disease. These literary texts do more than just tell us about diseases themselves – they also show how, in the thesis of literary critic Elaine Scarry, the body in pain demonstrates the making and unmaking of the world. An illness can tear a life apart – it can expose the tensions in oneself, one’s relationship, and society at a whole. But these texts also show how we can rebuild, how we can find meaning and new possibility in the most challenging of circumstances. The driving question I want you to answer is this: how do we find meaning and beauty in the sadness?
Your paper will be a critique – a rigorous and detailed analytical essay on this idea. Answer this question in your thesis: When illness tears apart our lives, how do we learn to find meaning again? The genre of critique asks you to think deeply about this question. What does illness mean to the authors we have studied this semester? Or, if you wish, what does it mean to you personally?
And then, to support your thesis, you will select evidence from two texts from the wit and angels in america. You will have to think very carefully about how the language in your texts will support your thesis. What is it about the authors’ use of literary language – their word choice, their figurative language, their symbolism – that supports your argument about finding meaning in a world ill at ease.
The body of your paper must provide excellent evidence for your thesis by EXPLAINING THE LANGUAGE OF THE TEXT – ITS POETIC CHARMS AND FIGURATIVE RIDDLES – IN EXACTING DETAIL. You must pay specific attention to the use of language. This analysis must always relate back to your definition of nature, as laid out in your first paragraph. Try to aim for about 800-900 words (2 to 3 paragraphs) per text with a 200-300 word introduction that will lay out your argument.
Focus your analysis by QUOTING, CITING, AND ANALYZING specific words and images in the two texts. In each paragraph, discuss how the authors use language. In each paragraph, discuss the significance of words. What is the effect of specific word choices and specific patterns in the language? Keep asking yourself, WHY is the author using these particular words and not synonyms? Remember: meaning is achieved through subtle differences.
You may and should also draw on your class notes and knowledge gained from class discussions, but don’t be satisfied with just typing up your notes from class discussion. BUILD off what was said in class discussion. Your paper should also strongly feature your own original voice with your own, original interpretation (always supported by evidence from the text). You are strongly encouraged to use material you’ve already written for this class (discussion posts, short assignments) as a foundation for your analysis, incorporating the feedback I have given you. But I expect that you will EXTENSIVELY REVISE, improve, and build on your prior work with new (re)considerations.
