EN496 Rise of the American Novel

Professor Ann M. Brunjes

Essay 1 (3-5pages)

Choose among any of the novels we have read thus far this semester and explore any one of the themes we have been discussing in seminar meeting.  These themes include (but you are not limited to):

• Female sexuality
• Men, authority and society (not necessarily to be considered as one mass)
• The sentimental or domestic novel as part of or in relation to the American literary "tradition"
• Landscape and psychological terrain
• The use of Native Americans in Edgar Huntly
• Narrative reliability and the uncertain reader
• The Gothic and [pick one of our novels]

Develop a thesis statement centering on one of these themes (or another that you and I have discussed), and develop your essay with specific reference to the text.  Use one or more secondary sources to support, complicate, or otherwise enrich your argument (you are welcome to use essays we have discussed in class).

Follow MLA format.

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