Choice One-What Is Moral in Times of War?

A Tale of Two Cities Term 4 Analytical Essay Date Due: June 2.

Choice One-What is moral in times of war? In all stories, character archetypes of the hero or villain exist. In more complex works, however, characters can seem more ambiguous, displaying a mixture of positive and negative qualities. Times of conflict, like personal hardship, and social turmoil, like a war, really reveal the true nature of people.

Prompt: In a well-organized five paragraph essay, consider at least three different characters in A Tale of Two Cities. Explore the effects of hardship on their character. What makes one (or more) character(s) morally “good,” what makes one (or more) character(s) “morally bad,” and finally what makes one (or more) character(s) “morally ambiguous” (these will be your DIs). Your analysis should explore how Dickens’ use of characterization portrays a particular theme about how people behave in times of personal or social turmoil.

Choice Two-What is the Ideal Woman? Ever since the patriarchal Mycenaeans annihilated the female dominated Minoans, the portrayal of women in many patriarchal cultures are purposely created to reflect or maintain the social hierarchy. In this way, the patriarchy can be sustained for the next generation in the same way the Greeks used myths to teach their listeners.

Prompt: In a well-organized five paragraph essay, consider Dickens’ portrayal of women in A Tale of Two Cities. Examine the way these women relate to the men in their lives, display indifferent or empathic behavior, and exert their level of independence versus their level self-sacrifice (these will be your DIS). Your analysis should discuss what Dickens’ characterization of these women suggests about the patriarchy and the feminine (or Victorian) ideal.

Evidence Requirement: At least 6 DQs total. Your essay is not a choice. I will randomly assign essay topics on May 30th. You will be given one lab period, June 1st, to finish it.