Comparative Analysis Paper over Fences and Death of a Salesman
Rough Draft Due: Friday, September 11, 2015
Final Draft Due: Monday, September 14, 2015
Objective:
In this paper, your job will be to compare the two plays, Fences and Death of a Salesman,
by pointing out each play’s differences. By looking at each play through two major
points, you will eventually show how August Wilson and Arthur Miller showed different
ways to express the same theme or social commentary. It seems odd to be using
differences to show the similarities, but each playwright set out to do similar things by
using different avenues.
Comparison Technique:
You will be using what is called text-by-text comparison. This style of comparison is the
most efficient for the clarity we need when comparing two texts or plays. What you will
be doing is proving each point completely before you move onto the next. For example,
you will prove point A from Fences and then point A from Death of a Salesman. From
there you will prove point B from Fences and then point B from Death of a Salesman.
This will allow your reader, ME, to understand things in order.
Your conclusion paragraph will combine the plays together. You will explain what
comparison both plays achieved, so you will give a summary of the contrasts and provide
the comparison that is expressed by these.
Overall, you will have a six-paragraph essay. Your first paragraph will be a traditional
introduction which begins with a hook and concludes with a well-organized thesis
statement. You will give four body paragraphs that explain your contrast points for each
play. Finally, you will provide that detailed conclusion paragraph.
Topics:
It is crucial that you choose a topic that can be argued from your understanding of the
two plays. I want you to choose one of the following topics to write about in your
comparative analysis:
1. Analyze how the idea of the American dream is expressed in both plays. Both
plays deal with how different families view this ideal. Although the variables may
be different surrounding the dream, the outcomes and emotions are quite similar.
What overall comment is being made regarding this concept?
2. Choose two character types that were shown in both plays and describe how their
differences made the same point in both plays. Look at the fathers, sons, mothers,
wives, husbands, brothers, etc. Analyze how each character was portrayed. From
these differences what overall comment could Wilson and Miller be saying about
familial roles or social roles?
3. Look at the social commentary being made. Do both Miller and Wilson see
society in the same light? How do they use different ideas in their plays to show
this similar point-of-view? First get a list of comments being made by each
playwright. What similarities do you find in what each has to say? Are these
similarities expressed through different means? Explain how both playwrights
can discuss similar issues on society from different standpoints.
Paper
Your paper should be formal and follow these format requirements:
1. No first or second person used throughout the text. “I,” “me,” “we,” “you,”
“your,” etc. is off limits unless inside quoted material.
2. Double space your paper.
3. Size 12 font, Times New Roman
4. You will need an MLA title page.
5. You will need a Works Cited page with both plays as your entries.
6. You will need a heading on ONLY THE FIRST page of the body of the paper
which includes your name, my name, class/period, and due date in the upper left.
7. Your last name and page number should be placed as a header on each page
AFTER THE TITLE PAGE.
8. YOU WILL NEED AT LEAST ONE QUOTE IN EACH BODY PARAGRAPH.