ENGL 1040: Reading Literature – Coming of Age

Purpose

The goal of this essay assignment is to explore literature by blending the writer’s own opinions and observations with quality research. In doing so, the writer will practice literary analysis and use literary criticism.

Content
Writers may choose one of the following prompts for their essay:

1. Identify a character from The House on Mango Street. Using research, your own reasoning, and examples from the book, examine this character. Who are they? What significance do they have in the story? How do they grow or change over the course of the story? Are they symbolic or meaningful in some way? What conclusions, assumptions, or hot takes do you have about this character? Use research and examples from the book to support your analysis.

2. Choose an object or image from The House on Mango Street. Using research, your own reasoning, and examples from the book, examine this character. Where in the story do we encounter this object or image? Does it repeat? What is meaningful or symbolic about it? How, if at all, does this object/image impact the characters, especially the protagonist? Use research and examples from the book to support your analysis.

3. Choose one of the short stories we’ve discussed in class so far, and compare/contrast it with The House of Mango Street. You might consider characters, setting, themes, or other elements you find interesting between the two texts. Use research, your own reasoning, and examples from the texts to support your analysis.