Choose one of the poems in T.S Elliiots, “The Waste Land” part 1-5. Then, interpret a pattern of doubling with a difference, aka mimetic rivalry, aka double entendre, that occurs within the text. Use evidence from the text to support an argument organized by a thesis. There are many doubles to choose from in the text. Your argument should be original in focus and supported with details, examples, and explanations derived from your active, interpretive reading.
Remember, it is not enough simply to identify the doubles in the text; a major goal for you in this assignment is to demonstrate your ability to identify very specifically a) the groups/ideas in conflict in the text, b) the specific idea over which they conflict, and c) how/why the text suggests that one group/idea is (or should be) superior to another (its double/rival).
Organization of the Essay: The first two or three sentences of your introduction should orient your reader to the issue addressed by your reading of the text. That is, does your paper address a conflict/issue concerning race, economic class, gender, desire/sexual orientation, theology, philosophy, political order/belief, or some other issue of contention that can be traced to the doubles in the text and, ultimately, to groups in conflict in the real world. Then next few sentences should explain, briefly, how you see this conflict appear in the text. The last sentence of your introductory paragraph should be your thesis. Your concluding paragraph should answer the questions, “So what? Why should the reader care about the interpretation you have argued?”
Things to avoid: DO NOT CONSULT OUTSIDE SOURCES. Stay away from obvious or factual or obvious assertions, since they cannot or need not be argued (because facts are facts and the obvious is already known). Avoid summer of the text; use quotation, paraphrase, or description of the plot/action only to support your ideas/arguments.
Length/Format: 4 pages (plus a works sited page) double-spaced, 12 pt Times New Roman, MLA Format
