English 102
Instructor: Hu
Essay Prompt:
Write a four to five page analytical essay on one of the stories below. Analysis
requires you to examine specific aspects of the literary work. The two most common are
character and theme (what you think the author is trying to convey). However, you may
choose to focus on other aspects you see fit and interesting. Keep in mind, these are
recommendations; you do not have to cover all of these aspects in your essay. Write on
what is most appealing and important to you.
Outside of character and theme, you may wish to discuss symbolism, irony,
conflict, etc. For example, in Raymond Carver’s “What We Talk About When We Talk
About Love, Mel professes to know love at its core, and is a heart surgeon, but doesn’t
seem to know love when it is right under his nose.
Some of the questions generated in class discussions would also make wonderful
essay topics. For example, you may choose to discuss the characterization of the three
players in Hemingway’s “A Clean, Well-Lighted Place” and how they can all be
Hemingway himself. Or perhaps even focus on the significance of the title of that
particular story.
Choose your story wisely, and be sure to choose an interesting (and sufficient)
topic to develop. Essays must be in MLA format and interact consistently with the text
for support. If you do not know MLA format, it’s time to find out! The library is a
wonderful place to start.
Stories to choose from: 1) “What We Talk About When We Talk About Love (Carver),
2) “Killings” (Dubus), 3) “A Clean, Well-Lighted Place” (Hemingway), 4) “The Cask of
Amontillado” (Poe), 5) “Good Country People” (O’Connor)