You will choose 3 of the listed prompts and write a 3-5 paragraph response.
Your response should include a thesis statement or some response that you will then use several paragraphs to explain.
Each response should include at least one reference from the book. You will have books to take home in preparation and use during the final.
You may bring one index card’s worth of notes into the final. I will need to see it before it’s used, and you will turn it in with the final.
- Clarity 1-10pts. Are your essays written clearly? This includes grammar, sentence structure, word choice, and flow.
- Accuracy 1-10pts Do your essays reflect a knowledge of the source material? This includes knowledge of the characters, story, themes, and tone.
- Thoroughness 1-10 pts Have you thoroughly responded to the prompt? Have you responded to every part of the question? Your responses should leave no part of a question unanswered.
- Thoughtfulness 1-10 pts. Do you come to reasonable conclusions and use sound logic in your reasoning? Your answers should show that you’ve given your ideas some serious thought.
The Pilgrim’s Progress
- Allegory and Symbolism: Explore the allegorical elements and symbolism in “The Pilgrim’s Progress.” How do these literary devices contribute to the overall meaning and themes of the novel? Provide specific examples to support your analysis.
- The Journey of Faith: Christian’s journey in “The Pilgrim’s Progress” is a metaphor for the spiritual journey. Discuss how Christian’s experiences, trials, and encounters with various characters reflect the challenges and triumphs of the human soul’s quest for faith and salvation.
The Outsiders
- Social Class and Identity: How does “The Outsiders” explore the theme of social class and its impact on the characters’ sense of identity and belonging? Analyze how the novel portrays the divisions between the “Greasers” and the “Socs,” and discuss the implications of these divisions.
- Coming of Age and Identity: Ponyboy’s coming-of-age journey is central to the narrative of “The Outsiders.” Discuss the challenges he faces as he navigates adolescence and analyze how his understanding of identity and belonging evolves throughout the novel.
The Hunger Games
- Power and Control: The Hunger Games presents a dystopian society characterized by power imbalances and control. Discuss how the novel depicts the effects of power on individuals and society, and analyze the ways in which characters respond to and resist oppressive systems.
- Survival and Morality: The Hunger Games forces its characters to confront moral dilemmas in the pursuit of survival. Analyze the ethical challenges faced by Katniss and other characters, and discuss how their decisions reflect larger themes of humanity, sacrifice, and resilience.
Black (by Ted Dekker)
- Identity and Reality: In “Black,” the concept of reality and identity is deeply intertwined. Analyze how the novel blurs the lines between reality and perception, and discuss the implications of this theme on the characters’ experiences and choices.
- Good vs. Evil: “Black” explores the nature of good and evil through its narrative. Discuss the dichotomy between good and evil as portrayed in the novel, and analyze how the characters navigate moral complexities in a world where the boundaries between the two are ambiguous.