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Essay 2 Argument

Page history last edited by Yu-Han Chao 12 years, 5 months ago

Writing 10: Academic Writing

Chao / Fall 2011

Essay 2, Argument

 

Writing Goals: 

Beaumont’s “Beauty and the Beast,” Straparola’s “The Pig King,” The Brothers Grimm’s “The Frog King, or Iron Heinrich,” Carter’s “The Tiger’s Bride,” “Urishima the Fisherman,” Afanasev’s “The Frog Princess” and “The Swan Maiden” all belong in the “Beauty and the Beast” category in The Classic Fairy Tales.

 

Pick one of the above texts and craft an essay that argues what gender roles and stereotypes you feel this tale perpetuates (in terms of general description, roles, character interactions, or love/marriage/relationships).Your thesis sentence should argue that male and female characters are portrayed in certain ways (beastly, submissive, aggressive, helpless, masculine, feminine, stereotypical, etc.) Back up your argument with evidence from the story.

 

Some Questions to Consider: 

1. How are female characters (human or animal) portrayed?  

2. How are male characters (human or animal) portrayed?

3. Are the portrayals and roles of the characters stereotypically masculine and feminine, or if not, how do they defy the stereotype (and what is the stereotype)?

4. Would you argue that the author is sexist or feminist? Why?

5. Consider the cultural and historical background of the text. What does the portrayal of characters reveal about the culture that produced the tale?

                                       

Process: 

Pick a “Beauty and the Beast” story. Annotate the text and take notes about descriptions, interactions, roles, traits, etc. of male and female characters in the story. Do you see any patterns or contradictions? Taking into consideration what you have gathered from the text, formulate your argument of how the author portrays male and female characters. The text will be your primary reference, but please also back up your claims with at least one other critic/writer’s words (such as criticism from The Classic Fairy Tales or any other source). You can also make references to another “Beauty and the Beast” story by way of comparison, if you feel this will strengthen your argument.

 

Audience:  Assume that your argument will be read by readers who are curious what fairytales are teaching children about male and female roles and stereotypes. Your argument will help them understand how certain elements of the story go against masculine/feminine stereotypes or perpetuate them.

 

Deadlines and Page Lengths:

Initial Draft: Wed. 10/5 (at least 3 pages, submitted to turnitin.com.) The instructor and 2 of your peers will provide feedback on your draft on turnitin.com.

Final Draft: Wed. 10/12 (about 1000 words, which would be 4-5 pages, submitted online at turnitin.com)

              

 

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