Introduction
John Knowles’ novel A Separate Peace is the story of Gene Forrester who struggles to come to grips with the guilt over his role in a traumatic event from his childhood. The novel, told as a flashback from the perspective of an adult Gene, looks back on his friendship with a private school classmate and Gene’s destructive feelings of jealousy, fear, and anger.
Assignment
Write a 3-5 page literary analysis that explores one of the attached essay topics.
Structure
You might want to think of a five-paragraph structure, but because of the length requirements, you may need to expand on that to adequately explore your topic.
Intro: This should include a “hook,” background information, and a thesis. It should clearly lay out what you are going to discuss in your essay.
Body: Provide analysis and supporting evidence. Mention several key events or moments from the novel. Include at least three carefully chosen quotes to help capture larger ideas from the novel. Blend them in with your own writing.
Conclusion: Finalize your argument with final thoughts related to the main idea.
Reminders: This is a literary essay so there should be no uses of “I” or “you.”Include an original title to capture interest.
Requirements
Your essay should have the following:
A clear argument of opinion and purpose expressed in a thesis statement and introduction.
Numerous accurate supporting details and events from the novel that directly back up your opinions.
At least three (probably more) properly cited quotes from the (each) novel.
Accurate and insightful analysis of the novel.
Generally correct grammar and mechanics.
Suggested essay topics
Essay option #1: John Knowles’ book A Separate Peace is the story of Gene Forrester’s coming of age. Using the events of the book, trace the journey by which Gene is transformed from an unconfident, fearful, angry teenager to a grown up who has managed to successfully deal with these negative feelings and to live a life of inner peace and harmony. Since the object of this essay is to show how Gene gets from POINT A to POINT B, you need to decide upon the stages or steps of development which make up his journey and what he eventually learns by the end of the novel. It is imperative that telling quotes and analysis from the book’s final chapter is used to illustrate the final stage of his growth.
Essay option #2: Using the scenes and events from the novel, compare the personalities, characteristics, and motivations of both Gene and Finny. Explore how Knowles portrays both characters in the novel. The thesis in your introduction should lay out general ideas about both characters and which one is better suited to be successful in this world and why. You will support your thesis by selecting specific examples of each character’s behavior and then discussing whether that behavior is “typical” or uncharacteristic of human beings in general. Your essay will include analysis of BOTH characters’ actions and motivations.
Honors option #1: By focusing on the major conflicts in both A Separate Peace and The Kite Runner, write an essay that compares the two novels and what their central message is. You will support your thesis by selecting specific examples from both novels and then discussing which novel presents the most accurate representation of true human nature. Your essay must include sufficient analysis of both novels. Since you are comparing the novels, you need to craft a thesis that explores subtle or significant similarities or differences in the stories.
Honors option #2: Both A Separate Peace and The Kite Runner tell the story of a narrator who struggles to come to grips with the guilt over his role in a traumatic event from his childhood. Using the events from both books, draw parallels between the coming of age journey undertaken by the main characters. Since the object of this essay is to show how both narrators get from POINT A to POINT B, you need to decide upon the stages or steps of development which make up their journeys and what they eventually learn. It is imperative that you use telling quotes and analysis from the book’s final chapters are used to illustrate the final stage of growth.
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