Your Task: Write a critical essay in which you discuss two works of literature you have read from the particiular perspective of the statement that is provided for you in the “critical lens” below. In your essay, provide a valid interpretation of the statement, agree or disagree with the statement as you have interpreted it, and support your opinion using specific references to appropriate literary elements from the two works. You may use scrap paper to plan your response.

Critical Lens: “Literature opens a dark window on the soul, revealing more about what is bad in human nature than what is good.” (Any quote or statement which relates to the themes and/or characters of the reading can be used.)

Guidelines:

Provide a valid interpretation of the critical lens that clearly establishes the criteria for analysis.
Indicate whether you agree or disagree with the statement as you have interpreted it.
Choose two works you have read that you believe best support your opinion.
Use the criteria suggested by the critical lens to analyze the works you have chosen.
For each work, do not summarize the plot but use specific references to appropriate literary elements (for example: theme, characterization, structure, language, point of view) to develop your analysis.
Organize your ideas in a logical and coherent manner.
Specify the titles and authors of the literature you choose.
Follow the conventions of standard written English.

This site was created by Benyonne Schwortz at the NEH Summer Institute "Literatures, Religions, and Arts of the Himalayan Region," held at the College of the Holy Cross, Summer 2008.