Writing Assignment
World Literature
O Brother Where Art Thou? + Critical Lenses = Argument
Assignment: In one (1) well-developed paragraph, argue the significance of a critical lens on O Brother Where Art
Thou?:
*Use the O Brother Lens Analysis handout and the Assertion row in order to come up with a thesis statement.
Consider answering the following question(s):
{Gender, social power,
archetypal,
deconstructionist,
character, or historical}
When looking at “O Brother Where Art Thou?” through the _______________lens, what theme or message becomes
clear? What do we learn about humankind? People? The World? The deep south during the Depression? Etc.
Requirements:
Your thesis must be arguable and presented in the first sentence of your paragraph
You must use textual/movie references to support your claim.
Your paragraph must be typed, double-spaced, and size 12” Times New Roman or Calibri
Example Paragraph:
Women throughout history have struggled with independence and a place of power in society, so they have been forced to
acquire their own survival skills in manipulation and control. This is exhibited in Penny and the Sirens in “O Brother Where Art
Thou?” as these female characters were forced to use controlling mechanisms in order to survive in the Deep South during the Great
Depression. As the main characters, Everett, Pete, and Delmar, are returning home after their escape from prison, they are lured
into the trap of the siren song; all are easily manipulated through sexuality and beauty. In this case, beauty exists in both physical
and mental forms, as “go to sleep little baby” sung through alluring voices provides a tranquil tune that comforts the men running
from the law and allows them to be controlled through corn liquor provided by the women. The liquor, voices, and physical
appearance of the women controls the men so the sirens are more capable of turning Pete in for his bounty money, thus gaining a
source of income when otherwise incapable of independence in a male-dominant society. Furthering this theme is Penny, Everett’s
abandoned wife, who is left behind when Everett is thrown in jail for practicing law without a license. Penny must take care of their
seven daughters while Everett serves his jail sentence, thus she is abandoned to her own devices. Her own manipulative devices lead
her to a “suitor” who has a “bona fide” job that allows him to support Penny’s large family. Penny, who divorced Everett while he
was in jail, plans to marry her suitor until the suitor’s ability to care for her family falls through. She then uses her daughters’ to win
back Everett, as he is now capable of caring for Penny and his children. As exemplified, all of the women in this movie must utilize
extreme and manipulative powers in order to survive during a time when society favored the abilities and dominance of men.