Exam 3: For this assignment, write an essay (1000-1250 words) in which you respond just one of the prompts listed below. Do not discuss all three prompts. Be sure to read the guidelines for the thesis sentence and documentation after the prompts are presented. By the way, a prompt is not quite a question; rather, it is a statement that encourages or prompts students to think about a topic and develop an essay.
Prompt 1. Consider one of the topics presented in The Elegance of the Hedgehog. I have listed a few below but there are others that are in the novel that you can select from for your discussion. But again, select and develop just one topic and consider the author’s theme about that topic.
Review my definition of topic/theme carefully and follow it closely when writing your response. Remember, the topic can be any of 1000s of abstract notions, ideas, or emotions that authors may choose to write about, such as love, family, suicide, religion, war, greed, grief, etc. I have listed below some of the topics that stood out for me while I was reading Barbery’s novel. In my formal elements of fiction lecture, I point out that theme refers to the author’s personal stance or viewpoint about a topic. No two authors will present the same exact theme about a topic. Consider in this assignment what Barbery’s theme is for just one of the topics. Here are some of the topics that I noted while reading the novel (Select just one and discuss it in depth):
Movement Fate Grammar
Hiding Beauty Art
Healing Others Crossing Classes Power
Here’s an example: Topic: Beauty. Theme: For Barbery, Beauty is the timelessness achieved from merging the ordinary with the extraordinary. For example, Paloma uses the image of an elegant hedgehog to describe Renee Michel. Can you think of any other images like this in the novel?
What do you think Barbery is saying about one of these topics. What you think Barbery is saying about the topic will be your thesis sentence, your interpretation of the novel. Some guidelines on the thesis sentence—the interpretation—are presented after the prompts.
Prompt 2. If you select this prompt, your goal would be to focus on a particular character in the novel. Choose just one round character (Renee or Paloma) and go in depth, or choose two or three flat characters for your disucssion. Remember, flat characters don’t change. Instead, they are used as a device by the author. Reread the lecture on formal elements about the differences between roundand flat charaters.
It’s best if you select either Renee or Paloma (not both) since they are drawn in the greatest depth by the author. Your thesis will take a stance that a particular character is round or flat. If round, the character needs to have changed in the novel. If flat, the character represents a concept or is a mentor. A flat character may also be a villain, meaning the character prevents the main character from achieving her goal. You may choose either Manuela or Mr. Ozu who are also interesting flat characters in this novel. Again, to prove your thesis, cite evidence from the novel. Be sure to read the guidelines for quotes after the prompts.
Prompt 3. For this prompt, if you select it, discuss figurative language (symbols) in the novel. Consider some of the symbols listed below and discuss how they reflect a theme(s) or a character in the novel. Remember, the purpose of symbolism in a novel is to help clarify for the reader abstract ideas or unfamiliar concepts that are difficult to express in words. For your thesis, select three or four symbols that appeal to you and then discuss how each symbol helps you to better understand two of the author’s theme and one character (or another combination).
Here are some images that I noted but you can select some that you noted as well:
Camellias on the moss Still Life in art
Rain (hint: tie in with Lisette) Mr. Ozu’ elegant apartment
Trees animals: Leo and Napoleon
From the perspective of figurative language, which is a type of evidence, this prompt enables students to explore theme and character from the perspective of symbolism. This prompt sort of incorporates all three prompts.
Some guidelines for the thesis sentence (your interpretation):
The thesis sentence is usually presented at the end of your introduction paragraph. Then, throughout the rest of the essay (the body), you will need to provide evidence in the form of quotes, details, symbols, and examples from throughout the novel to support your interpretation and make it viable or persuasive for your reader. There’s no such thing as an absolutely true interpretation, so to make your interpretation persuasive, you must provide evidence. The more evidence you provide, the more you will discourage those who disagree with your interpretation. Show me that you read the entire novel by providing quotesfrom the beginning, middle, and end.
Some guidelines for quotes:
Most of what you say for support should be in your own words. Here’s a rule of thumb for quotes:You can use three short quotes per page or one short quote (three lines or less) and one blocked quote (from 4-8 lines) per page. Be sure to review my lecture on MLA documentation to find out how to present short quotes and blocked quotes. But again, 90% of your essay should be in your own words. Stick to the rule of thumb for quotes. Most important, after each direct quote, students must indicate the page number for the quote. Since we are writing in just one novel for this assignments, a Works Cited page Is unnecessary
