Grade 12
Synthesis Essay
Preibisch/14
• Choose two stories to write a compare and/or contrast essay. (Choose from the two your group studied or you may
compare/contrast one of them to either “Paul’s Case” or “The Lottery”).
• The essay must be 5-6 paragraphs in length, answer the question in detail, incorporate quotations for evidence, and
explain the connection between the stories.
Characterization / Symbolism / Motif
1.
Discuss how the minor characters reveal the protagonists’ personality traits. (“Worn Path”, “Paul’s Case”, “A
Jury of her Peers”).
2.
Discuss how the characters’ personalities are revealed through non-verbal communication. For example,
through their eyes, gestures and movements. (“Paul’s Case”, “The Lottery”, “Miss Brill”, “A Worn Path”,
“The Guest”).
3.
Discuss how the authors evoke sympathy in the reader through characterization. (“Miss Brill, “Paul’s Case”,
“The Lottery”, “A Jury of her Peers”, “The Jade Peony”, “A Pair of Tickets”).
4.
Authors use symbolism to reveal the relationship between characters and their personality traits. Discuss in
relation to two stories. (“Paul's Case”, “The Lottery”, “A Bolt of White Cloth”, “A Jury of her Peers”).
5.
In many stories loneliness is an important motif and has a direct impact on the characters. For example, in
both “The Guest” and “Miss Brill”, the setting reflects the solitary life of the protagonist and the feeling of
loneliness. How is this similar to “Paul’s Case”?
Theme / Symbolism
6.
Discuss how the authors effectively use symbolism to reveal the theme. (“The Lottery”, “Paul’s Case”, “Miss
Brill”, “A Worn Path”, “A Bolt of White Cloth”, “A Jury of her Peers”, “The Rocking-Horse Winner”).
7.
Discuss colour as an important symbol in two stories.
8.
Discuss the importance of perseverance and having faith despite the struggles along the way. (There is a
noticeable contrast between Paul, in “Paul’s Case”, and Phoenix in “A Worn Path”).
9.
A dominant theme is the importance of trust. Discuss. (“The Guest”, “A Bolt of White Cloth”).
10.
Discuss how the authors reveal the theme: decisions have consequences. (“Paul’s Case”, “The Lottery”, “The
Guest”, “Miss Brill”, “A Worn Path”).
11.
Discuss the theme: relationships and kindness are essential to one’s development. (“A Worn Path”, “Paul’s
Case”, “The Guest”, “Miss Brill”).
12.
Discuss the effect of obsession in “The Rocking-horse Winner” and “Paul’s Case” (Hester and her son are
both negatively impacted by this trait and in “Paul’s Case”, he is overcome with the need for wealth and a
lavish lifestyle). Both stories reveal a faulty sense of values.
13.
Discuss the impact of tradition. (“The Lottery”, “A Pair of Tickets”, “The Jade Peony”).
Juxtaposition / Environment
14. Discuss how the authors use juxtaposition effectively in their stories. (“Paul’s Case”, “The Lottery”, “Miss
Brill”, “A Worn Path”).
15.
Discuss how the environment affects the characters and causes them to change. (“Paul’s Case”, “Miss Brill”,
“A Jury of her Peers”, “A Bolt of White Cloth”, The Jade Peony, “A Pair of Tickets”).
16.
Discuss how cultural identity and new traditions impact the protagonist. (The Jade Peony, “A Pair of Tickets”)
Grade 12
Synthesis Essay
Preibisch/14
Teacher Notes:
-Paul’s compelling character changes throughout the story. Paul's environment causes him depression and to act in a
manner that his father and teachers do not approve of.
-In “A Worn Path” the characters and environment also impact Phoenix.
-Miss Brill is impacted by both her fantasy world and the real world and impacts how she responds in the situation.
-In both “Miss Brill” and “Paul’s Case” the characters are negatively affected by the environment in which they live.
Criticism of others is noticeable in many of the stories:
Ex: “Miss Brill spends time criticizing others appearance and behaviour and at the end of the story she
overhears someone doing the same to her. In “Paul’s Case” he is criticized by many, but he too criticizes those he
feels superior to.
In “Paul’s case” the flowers are mentioned so frequently that the reader is forced to reflect on the metaphorical and
symbolic meaning of these carnations, rose, jonquils, violets, lilies-of the-valley. When the flowers wilt, one realizes
that they are temporary just like Paul’s fairytale holiday in New York. They also “blossom unnaturally in the snow”;
likewise, Paul seems out of place in his environment.
Ex. Colours are symbolic in both “Paul’s Case” and “A Worn Path”. Red reveals the life within each character.
Remember to highlight the importance of other colours in the
stories as well.
Juxtaposition:
Example 1: Miss Brill’s loneliness with the happiness of the park’s setting. Both Miss Brill’s and Paul’s fantasy
worlds. The appearance of perfection.
Example 2: In “Paul’s Case” the author uses contrasting colours such as, red/yellow/black. Black and red are
contrasted in “A Worn Path”
Example 3: Juxtaposition of the old versus the new (“Miss Brill”, “Sunflowers”)
Example 4: The authors contrast the different settings within each story.
-“Paul’s Case” (life on Cordelia street versus life in the theatre etc. and New York.
- “Miss Brill” (Fantasy world versus reality)
-“Rocking-horse Winner” (incorporates the element of fantasy and fairy-tale similar to Paul’s
world in “Paul’s Case”)
fantasy