DIRECTIONS:
you have read and reviewed an example of a literary argument article referencing Shakespeare’s personal connection with the play Othello and the character, Othello. You also learned about some of the common schools of literary criticism and looked at the literary argument from the perspective of the Historicism and Psychological schools of literary criticism and then read an argument about Roderigo and Iago’s relationship written from the Reader Response school.

For this unit’s major submission, you will be writing your own literary argument to the following prompt. Carefully read the prompt, then write a rough draft of your claim that answers the prompt. Consider which school of literary criticism best expresses your perspective and note next to your claim which school you’ve considered when writing your claim.

PROMPT:
Literary works often portray characters who collide with aspects of their own or an unfamiliar culture. This conflict can result in characters questioning their sense of identity. Using one of the works we have studied in this class or another text that depicts a character struggling with aspects of a culture, write an essay or create a presentation in which you analyze how the text’s author uses literary devices such as setting, structure, characterization, or perspective to portray this conflict between a character and culture.

MORE DIRECTIONS:
In your claim, you should name the author and title of the text you’ve chosen to analyze/argue about along with the name of a character or characters who are questioning their identity because of collision of cultures. Your claim should also include at least two literary devices you plan to use as support. Your answer for the School of Lit Crit that most affects your interpretation will vary depending on your argument.

QUESTION:
What is your claim in response to the prompt? which school of literary criticism best represents the thinking behind your prompt?