English 2230 / Fall 2006

Tracing a Topic/Theme Essay:
Connecting Jane Hamilton to Early American Writers

Write an essay of 4-5 pages, word-processed and double-spaced, in which you explore and trace one of the "topics/themes" from Jane Hamilton's novel, Disobedience, through 2-3 writers from Volume A. In other words, "connect" Hamilton's contemporary novel to 2-3 writers/texts from the 1620-1820 time period. Or, perhaps think about the essay in terms of getting Jane Hamilton and 2-3 Volume A writers together to "talk about" a particular topic/theme that they all have in common.

Pick one (1) topic/theme which is interesting to you, and trace that topic/theme through 2-3 Volume A writers and Jane Hamilton. Find a "connection" you noticed among some writers as you worked your way through the assigned readings, an insight you had which draws some writers together in a unique way--and this connection or insight can be very focused on a few writers rather than really broad (the topics/themes themselves are very broad). If you get stuck at this early point, glance through the lists below for some ideas. You might think of your essay as an answer to the question: "How has the presentation or treatment of this particular topic or theme changed over the years (or, how is it similar and different among the writers I have chosen)?"

When you write your essay, be careful not to simply summarize what each writer "says" about your chosen topic/theme. Consider your audience for this paper to be people who have read the same texts you have, but who might not have put as much thought into them as you have, or who might not have seen the same things that you have. Explore how the writers you choose are similar and/or different in their ideas, presentations, and treatments of the topic/theme:

• Does one writer seem to simply repeat another writer’s ideas?
• Does a particular writer seem to add a very original or unique idea to the "conversation"?
• Does one writer seem to directly (or even indirectly) disagree with another writer?
• Does the theme change or evolve through different historical and literary periods?
• Are there common images, motifs, language choices, lessons, or arguments among the writers?

In terms of a "thesis" or central idea for your essay, you will need to draw some original "conclusions" or "interpretations" about your chosen topic/theme and writers--i.e., what all your main ideas "mean" or how they all fit together or what they all add up to. You will want to present an idea, focus, or direction that other readers may not have thought about. You can begin with or include an idea mentioned in class, but of course you will want to develop that idea several steps further in your essay. Furthermore, research is not required for this essay; in fact, I’d rather you not do any research at all but instead really focus on and think about the “primary texts” we’ve read.

For more information about this paper and to view several sample papers, check out the links provided below. If you have any questions at any time, please ask me before or after class or stop by my office. Remember that you will need to demonstrate "significant planning and revision" for this paper, so be sure to keep all your notes, outlines, and drafts as you work on your paper. Also, to satisfy the "writing intensive" requirement in this course, you will need to present a complete rough draft of your essay to your peers at an in-class peer review (scheduled for Monday, October 20, 2006), and you will then revise, edit, and proofread your paper before submitting a final draft (due on Monday, November 6, 2006). Missing or not being prepared for the peer review will lower your essay grade one full letter. In addition, you must submit all your notes, rough drafts, and peer review notes along with your final draft.

Course Topics/Themes and Possible Writers/Texts

Growing Up and Coming of Age:

• Hamilton, Disobedience
• Bradstreet, In Reference to Her Children
• Taylor, Upon Wedlock, and Death of Children
• Franklin, The Autobiography
• Occom, A Short Narrative of My Life
• Equiano, The Interesting Narrative
• Rowson, Charlotte
• Tyler, The Contrast

Histories (personal, familial, national, world/global):

• Hamilton, Disobedience
• Bradstreet, In Reference to Her Children, In Memory of My Dear Grandchild, Here Follows Some Verses
• Occom, A Short Narrative of My Life
• Equiano, The Interesting Narrative
• Wheatley, On Being Brought, To the University, On the Death of the Rev.
• Adams/Adams, Letters
• Rowson, Charlotte
• Tyler, The Contrast

Love and Marriage:

• Hamilton, Disobedience
• Bradstreet, To My Dear and Loving Husband, A Letter to Her Husband, Another Letter to Her Husband, Before the Birth
• Taylor, Upon Wedlock, and Death of Children
• Occom, A Short Narrative of My Life
• Adams/Adams, Letters
• Rowson, Charlotte
• Tyler, The Contrast

Families (parents and children, siblings):

• Hamilton, Disobedience
• Bradstreet, To Her Father, In Reference to Her Children
• Taylor, Upon Wedlock, and Death of Children
• Occom, A Short Narrative of My Life
• Adams/Adams, Letters
• Rowson, Charlotte
• Tyler, The Contrast

Writing and Storytelling:

• Hamilton, Disobedience
• Bradstreet, The Prologue, The Author to Her Book
• Taylor, The Prologue
• Franklin, The Way to Wealth, The Autobiography
• Occom, A Short Narrative
• Equiano, The Interesting Narrative
• Adams/Adams, Letters
• Rowson, Charlotte
• Tyler, The Contrast

Disobedience:

• Hamilton, Disobedience
• Franklin, The Way to Wealth, The Autobiography
• Equiano, The Interesting Narrative
• Rowson, Charlotte
• Tyler, The Contrast

Letters (and Email) as Literature / Letters (and Email) in Literature:

• Hamilton, Disobedience
• Bradstreet, To My Dear and Loving Husband, A Letter to Her Husband, Another Letter to Her Husband
• Franklin, The Autobiography
• Adams/Adams, Letters
• Rowson, Charlotte
• Tyler, The Contrast (?)

Other:

• An idea/topic/theme of your choosing (such as music, secrets, confessions, identity, gender, adultery, city/country) which connects Hamilton with 2-3 other writers -- but have your idea approved by me first!

Other Links for this Essay Assignment:

Other Information about Writing Papers in Literature Courses

Tips for Writing Essays about Literature

Sample Paper #1: Tracing the Theme of Native Americans in American Literature

Sample Paper #2: Tracing the Theme of Death

Sample Paper #3: Tracing the Common Themes of Women Writers

Copyright © 2006 Scott R. Stankey / All rights reserved
Last revised on 03 March 2008 by SRS
Please address comments to scott.stankey@anokaramsey.edu