World Literature Essay #2 Choose two of the texts listed below: Frederick Douglass, Narrative of the Life of

World Literature Essay #2

Choose two of the texts listed below:

• Frederick Douglass, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
• Leo Tolstoy, The Death of Ivan Ilyich
• Thomas Mann, Death in Venice
• Zhang Ailing, “Sealed Off”
• Any poem from the final two weeks of class

In your essay, respond to one of the following prompts:

1. What do the texts you have selected suggest about the value of literacy, literature, art, or beauty?
2. What do the texts you have selected suggest about the human propensity to distract oneself from significant issues, such as mortality?

Tips for Getting Started:

1. Once you have made your selections above, you must examine the texts to arrive at a thesis, which will be your statement about what you think these works suggest about your theme.
2. Each body paragraph should begin with a topic sentence that pertains to your thesis.
3. Each body paragraph should include quotations from both texts.
4. In your interpretation and work with these quotations, you should aim to show how these texts achieve what you have claimed is their comment on your theme.
5. Quote the text directly and draw out meaning by paying close attention to wording, images, metaphors, dialogue, or characterization. You do need to address all of these things. I simply offer them as a few valuable approaches.
6. Offer a title that encapsulates your argument.

Essay Details:

• Your essay must be typed and submitted to CANVAS by the due date listed above.
• Essay must be at least 750 words (3 full pages), double spaced, 12 point, Times New Roman font.
• Upload your essay as a Word Document
• Do not do your own research; rely only on the texts you have chosen
• Use MLA formatting