Throughout the semester, we’ve been analyzing not only the language of a text but also how an author uses that language to make an argument about their subject. “
Throughout the semester, we’ve been analyzing not only the language of a text but also how an author uses that language to make an argument about their subject. “The City of Glass,” the first novella in Paul Auster’s New York Trilogy, utilizes unconventional techniques to display its setting, plot, and characters. Some of the techniques used in the book are postmodern literary techniques. In City of Glass, a disjointed narrative, paradoxical situations, and the unreliable narrator appear. Postmodern theories are based the idea that disorder and discord is something that can never be avoided, and play with the expectations a reader has gained from years of literary experiences, including the idea that author, narrator, and character should be separate. The authors do not directly insert themselves into the universes they create. Third-person narrators cannot influence the plot or mingle with the other characters. Characters are molded by the authors and observed by the narrators, interacting with neither. “City of Glass” uses postmodern techniques when presenting its characters, allowing the characters to be presented outside of the traditional roles of author, narrator, and character. Paul Auster is portrayed as a character as well as the author, which breaks the boundary between the author and the universe he creates. Daniel Quinn is the focus for a majority of the work, but becomes a focalized object in the last few pages, taking a supporting role in the narrative supposedly about him. The unnamed narrator constructs the story using the red notebook, becoming an author in his or her own right. Main Goal of Essay Two
➔ Focus your short essay with a thesis statement that makes a claim about Auster’s theme. Texts for Essay Two
➔ “City of Glass” by Paul Auster
➔ Two outside readings that support your analysis.
In the novella “City of Glass” by Paul Auster, intertextual references and subversion of literary and cinematic tropes play a pivotal role in shaping the narrative and thematic depth of the novella. Your task in this essay is to delve into the intertextual aspects of the novella and examine how Auster weaves a complex web of references while subverting or upholding the conventions of detective fiction, film noir, and/or hardboiled detective fiction.
Keep in Mind
Identify Intertextual References: Explore the various intertextual references that Auster employs throughout the novella. These references could include literary works, films, historical events, or cultural elements. Consider how these references contribute to the layers of meaning within the story and its characters.
Construct a Thesis: Develop a clear and focused thesis that centers on the intertextual elements present in “City of Glass.” Your thesis should articulate the significance of these references in enriching the narrative, character development, and thematic exploration.
Analyze Subverted and Upheld Tropes: Investigate how Auster subverts or embraces the conventions of detective fiction, film noir, and/or hardboiled detective fiction. Discuss instances where the novella challenges or reinterprets traditional aspects of these genres, as well as moments where it adheres to their established tropes.
Provide Textual Evidence: Support your analysis with specific textual evidence from “City of Glass.” Reference key passages, dialogues, and narrative techniques to substantiate your points about intertextuality and trope subversion.
Engage with the novella critically, drawing connections between Auster’s literary choices and the broader literary and cinematic landscape. Your analysis should demonstrate a deep understanding of “City of Glass” as both a standalone work and a product of its intertextual and genre-related influences.
You should also use two outside sources in your paper. MUST BE AT LEAST FIVE PAGES AND USE TWO SOURCES.
MUST BE FIVE PAGES! Make sure to use add in at least two sources as well as meet the page count. Failure to do so will result in a lower grade.
Rubric
1. Draw the reader in gradually: https://www.thoughtco.com/writing-a-hook-for-your-essay-1856994 Links to an external site.. This is how your introduction will be graded.
2. Assertion: (the “topic sentence” or main point) Assertions are like mini-thesis statements that explain what the body paragraph will be about, and make a specific point. They are not summaries or general statements. These are usually only one sentence.
3. Example: (the “concrete detail”) The example is just as it sounds. It is the evidence that you will use to support your assertion. Examples can be direct quotes or a brief paraphrase of the text you are using. Remember to always cite your sources and introduce your quotations with signal phrases, such as, “According to…” Also remember that your example cannot make your point for you, and will need to be explained.
4. Explanation: (the “commentary” or “analysis”) The explanation will show the reader how the example supports the assertion. This is your analysis. If you are using a long example, make sure to explain all of it. The explanation section should be about twice as long as your example and should make up a majority of your paragraph. This is where you argue your point in detail.
5. Significance: (the “relevance” to the paper) The significance of the paragraph explains how everything you just proved in your specific example is still related back to the overall thesis of your paper. You do not have to refer to your whole thesis, but rather the most relevant part of it. This is usually about one to two sentences.
6. The paper uses proper MLA formatting, work cited, and in-text citations.
7. Thinking: The paper stays on focus, using a clear thesis to develop an argument.
8. Proofreading: Does the author edit and revise their work?
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