Symbolism Essay Requirements
Content Requirement:
Choose an object from any of the eligible works options available below and explain its symbolism.
The working hypothesis/ thesis for this assignment could be:
WH/TH: The artifact (state the specific artifact) in the author’s short story is a significant/ important/ complex/ interesting object.
Provide reasons supporting the above working hypothesis/ thesis statement and for each reason provide quotations as well as analysis of the quotations supporting each reason.
The essay may show how the meaning of the symbol changes from the beginning to the end of the story which in turn will show that the object is a complex symbol.
The essay may also show that there are many meanings of the same object throughout the story. This will also lead readers to conclude that the object is complex (or significant).
The essay may also show how several symbols work together.
The essay may show how the symbol is used to explore/ illustrate a specific theme.
The essay may show how the symbol is used to ask a specific question.
Annotation Requirement: The essay by highlighting the thesis, reasons, and explanation of the evidence with your favorite color. An essay that is not annotated can score at most a B+ grade. This argument map shows you the major elements of an academic argument that should be highlighted in your essay: Argument Map
Research Requirement: Bolster your thesis and reasoning about the character by using at least one source. You may use the library databases through the QCC library or Google Books.
Word Count Requirement: 1000-1200 words
Eligible Works
Adrienne Rich, “Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers”
Marge Piercy, “Barbie Doll”
E. M. Foster, “The Machine Stops”
Tony Cade Bambara, “The Lesson”
Guy de Maupassant, “The Necklace”
Suggested Brainstorming Questions
Provide four answers to the question: “What might this object symbolize?” Next, What are the effects of the ambiguity of this object?
Do the exercise in which you have to write the chronology of the story, and then break down the story into three stages that roughly correspond with the beginning, middle, and end. Next, write opinion sentences about the symbol’s meaning and significance at each of these stages.
Find an article on Google Books on Walker’s “Everyday Use”. Read one page or a paragraph from the article that focuses on the story. Write a one-page response to the article, explaining what you agree or disagree with, or surprises you.
Additional Brainstorming Questions
Choose an object from the story, e.g. the quilt. Ideally choose an object that seems puzzling to you. What are three reasons why you find the object to be of any significance?
What are two sensory details that stand out to you in the short story? Provide quotations for each, and explain you feel these details are important.
Find a second article on Google Books on Walker’s “Everyday Use.” Like in the previous activity, read one page or a paragraph from the article that focuses on the story. Write a one-page response to the article, explaining what you agree or disagree with, or what surprises you.
Read the story twice in order to find new symbols that you did not notice the first time when you read it.
Make a list of objects (works) in the story and do the surface depth exercise to generate ideas about the symbolism of each object. Pay attention also to whether the meaning of the symbol changes throughout the story.
