Kang

English 12: Female Bildungsroman

Hurston paper
For your paper on Their Eyes Were Watching God, please address one of the following prompts in a clear, wellorganized and compelling essay:
1) Please trace ONE of the following symbols or ideas (or TWO, if they seem closely related):
Nature (pear tree, animals, the hurricane)
the horizon
judgment
control
How does Hurston use the symbol or idea to contribute to the development of a key theme in the text? What
is suggested about that key theme through the symbol or idea?
2) What does the novel suggest about the ability of women to live and dream?
3) What role does love play in liberation for Janie?
4) Why does a person need tuh go tuh God to live a successful life? Is this is gendered advice within the
context of the novel or more universal advice?
5) How do different types of worship or gods work their ways into the text? Why?
6) How does Hurston use race / gender to separate Janies reality from that of men / white people?
7) Compare two or all of Janies husbands. What does Hurston suggest about masculinity?
8) How does Hurston use setting to underscore the limitations of an early twentieth century female
bildungsroman story?
9) What does the novel suggest a womans ability to achieve true independence within Janies society?
Compare Janie and ONE other character within the novel.
10) What does the novel suggest about the relationship between self-knowledge and narrative?
STRUCTURE & REQUIREMENTS:
*** Use NO outside sources. This essay topic does not require any research (internet or textual), but should
be a question you can answer based on your own critical thinking and the discussions we have had in
class.*** (If you are struggling to come to an answer, please make an appointment with me.)

An introduction paragraph that introduces the work as well as your ideas and ends in a
specific, interpretive thesis that directly addresses the essay question.
AT LEAST 2 body paragraphs.
A conclusion paragraph that avoids mere summary and offers food for thought.

In addition to adhering to the structure and requirements noted above, the successful paper will:

o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o

o
o

NOT USE ANY OUTSIDE SOURCES.

Demonstrate a sound understanding of the text based on class discussions and a close reading of
the passages.
Begin each body paragraph with a topic sentence that provides a focused idea for that paragraph;
topic sentences should be arguable, specific statements with a clear connection to the thesis.
Topic sentences should avoid simply restating part of the thesis.
Include 2-4 pieces of evidence per body paragraph.
Set up and integrate quotations fluidly (with appropriate context).
Analyze the language of the evidence, moving beyond what is stated to what is implied.
Be well organized.
Use sentence variety and concrete details with strong verbs (not passive to be verb
constructions).
Maintain 3rd person voice; stay in the literary present tense; avoid contractions.
Adhere to MLA format:
Double-spaced
Times New Roman, 12 point font, 1 margins
Header with your last name and page number
Include an appropriate, original, and interesting title for your essay
Include a Work Cited section
Include appropriate citation information and format for quotations.
Be submitted in hard copy, stapled and in order at the BEGINNING of class on the due date.
Be submitted to turnitin.com BEFORE class on the due date.

LENGTH: about 3 (full) pages

TOTAL POINTS: 100
DUE DATE: Monday, April 25, beginning of class.
DEADLINES: Failure to meet any of the underlined mini-deadlines will result in a 3% deduction per day late.
Failure to meet the final due date will result in a 10% deduction per day late (see English Department Policy on
Late Papers). Failure to submit to turnitin.com will result in 3% deduction for the first day and 1% deduction for
each subsequent day.
Monday (4/18)

In class: Finish discussion;

Review essay prompt: choose passages

HW: Work on paper.

Wednesday (4/20)

In class: KW library work on paper

HW: Work on paper.

Thursday (4/21)

In class: KW library - work on paper.

HW: Work on paper

Friday (4/22)

In class: Work on paper. 1.5 pages due

beginning of class. Please bring a laptop
if you have one available.

HW: Work on paper.

Monday (4/25)

In class: Final draft due at the beginning of class!

Make sure you submit paper to turnitin.com by the beginning of class. NO
EXTENSIONS.