Unit 1: Satire and Critical Viewpoints
Essay: English IV CP
TOPICS: Choose one from below
Prompt 1: A recurring theme in literature is “the classic war between passion and
responsibility.” For instance, a personal wrong, a love, a desire for revenge, a determination to
address a wrong, or some other emotion or drive may conflict with moral duty. Identify a
character in Catch-22 who confronts the demands of private passion that conflicts with his or her
responsibilities. Discuss the nature of the conflict, its effects upon the character, and its
significance to the work as a whole.
OR
Prompt 2: Some novels seem to advocate change in social or political attitudes or in traditions.
Note briefly the particular attitudes or traditions that the author, Joseph Heller, suggests need
modifying. Then analyze the techniques the author uses to influence the reader’s views. Avoid
plot summary.
Annotated Bibliography, thesis and evidence for support from 3 sources:
130 Points due 11/1 (yes this is a Sunday night…VIA EMAIL)
Final Essay:
100 Points Due 11/12 (hard copy in class and electronic copy to turnitin.com)
All essays should be in MLA format, with a proper heading, header, works cited page
Any essay that is more than 50% plagiarized on turnitin.com will be submitted to the Honor
Code for a violation.
Works to choose evidence from:
ALL WORKS LISTED BELOW SHOULD BE A PART OF YOUR ANNOTATED
BIBLIOGRAPHY!!!
Catch-22 Joseph Heller
“Formal Experiment and Social Discontent: Joseph Heller’s Catch-22” Brian Way
“Spendthrift and the Sea: Structural Patterns and Unifying Elements in Catch-22” Clinton S.
Burhans
Catch-22 film
“The Logic of Survival in a Lunatic World” Robert Brustein
“Here’s Greatness—In Satire” Philip Toynbee
“The Looney Horror of it All—Catch 22 Turns 25” John W. Aldridge
If you need help completing your works cited entries there is a document on my website
available to help you titled: Works cited help for unit 1 essay