Short Story Compare and Contrast Analytical Essay Assignment

Formal Paper - Writing the Analytical Paper

(Lesson 5, handouts 5 7)

You have one week from the date this assignment is given to turn it in.
You may choose from Suggestions for Writing from Perrines p. 588 #s 1, 3, 5, 6 or 8 (you must use the
stories listed that means you need to read them)

Your analysis must involve a comparison and contrast of two short stories
A graphic organizer will be included to help you with this task
In your analysis, be sure to discuss any of the applicable elements that have been covered
throughout the unit (plot, characterization, theme, p.o.v., symbol, allegory, fantasy, humor, irony,
etc.)
Must be typed in standard font
MLA format with works cited page (you must cite the Perrine text as well as any other sources that
you reference)
Minimum 5 paragraphs
Thesis must be the last sentence of your introduction if there is no thesis, your essay will not be
read and will receive an automatic F.
NOTE: An analysis assumes that the reader of your essay is familiar with the texts you are
analyzing. For that reason, plot summary is not necessary. Im asking you for an analysis, so
AVOID PLOT SUMMARY (see pg. 7-10 of the Perrine text)

Worth 100 points

Due _____________________
Plagiarism DO NOT DO IT!

Short Story Unit Compare and Contrast Essay Graphic Organizer

Directions: Use this graphic to organize your thoughts as they relate to each story for the devices listed.
Story #1 title:
Author:

Device

IMAGERY

TONE

CHARACTER

SETTING

Story #2 title:
Author:

PLOT
DEVELOPMENT

& DEVICES

FIGUARATIVE
LANGUAGE

DICTION

POINT-OFVIEW

OTHER
(SYMBOLS.
ALLEGORY,
ETC)

THEME/
PURPOSE

Sample AP Compare and Contrast Essay

Many people find it difficult to distinguish reality from fantasy. They are daydreamers who most
often find themselves alone and lost in the world. Paul, of Willa Cathers Pauls Case and the protagonist
of Araby by James Joyce are two examples of these types of people. They both attempt to grasp for
what they truly want, only to find that what they desire is out of reach. They come up short of what they
want and instantly become self-aware of the mistakes they have made. Both stories use, among other
things, imagery, characterization and colorful language to achieve this effect.
The imagery of both Pauls Case and Araby is particularly vivid. The audience gets a taste of
what the main characters are feeling through a stirring of the senses and emotions. Light is a common
feature in both stories. Paul finds himself outside of a hotel staring up at its glory and, [seems] to feel
himself go after [a woman] up the steps, into the warm, lighted building, into an exotic, a tropical world of
shiny, glistening surfaces and basking ease (249). The light gives Paul a feeling of wonder and excitement.
While Paul is in New York the lights [stream] from the hotels (258). It is as if Pauls dreams of enjoying a
rich life are right in a spotlight. In Araby, the main character desires the love of his friend Mangans
sister. He mentions that the light from the lamp opposite [his] door caught the white curve of her neck,
lit up her hair that rested there and, falling, lit up her hand (26). Once again, what the main character
desires is spotlighted but out of reach. A second form of imagery found in both stories is the weather. In
Pauls Case, Paul is waiting in the rain looking up at the hotel when a quick gust of wind [brings] the
rain down with sudden vehemence (249). It is as if the elements are telling him that his dreams are out
of reach in a harsh manner. In Araby the protagonist is in his house thinking of his love when he hears
the rain impinge upon the earth, the fine incessant needles of water playing in the sodden beds (25). It
feels as if the sound of the rain is interrupting his thoughts and telling him to stop dreaming.
The characters of both stories display similar characteristics, traits, and personalities. Both are
daydreamers. When Paul sinks into one of the seats at his beloved Carnegie Hall, he [loses] himself
(248). The protagonist of Araby also claims he wastes his waking and sleeping thoughts on innumerable
follies (26). It is this daydreaming that keeps both boys from grasping reality. Both boys also are alone in
the world because they dont have a true connection with another human being. Pauls father is not a
large part of his life, and Paul is ashamed of him. The main character of Araby lives with his aunt and

uncle and is ignored by them. This causes both boys to feel a sense of isolation and loneliness, so they
must escape to their dreams. Both boys attend school and have trouble paying attention in class. Paul
[finds] the schoolroomrepulsive (254). He considers the school and the teachers to be a joke (254).
Arabys main character [answers] few questions in class (26). He also says that he cannot call his
wandering thoughts together (26). Neither boy has stable learning habits in classroom and so both are

This paragraph needs examples from the text

and explanations

isolated from their teachers and peers. This only causes them to be separated from responsibility and in
turn, reality.
The language and diction in both stories is full of color. Both are brought alive in detail and
description with memorable, dreamy images, details, and colors. These descriptive images, including
metaphors and similes, engage the audience and allow them to get lost as they read, similar to the
characters themselves. The language and diction match the minds of the main characters.
Through the elements of diction, imagery, and character, Cather and Joyce create works that
parallel the fantasy world of the characters. These elements also foster the end results of the selfawareness and attaining of reality in both characters.
Thanks, Jill, for sharing your work with AP teachers.