Prompt: Literary analysis

Essay Assignment #2 – City of Thieves by David Benioff

Write a four-to five-page literary analysis essay on one topic from the list below.  A literary analysis asserts an interpretation of a literary work and supports that interpretation with analysis of specific examples and details from the text of the literary work.

• The fathers of both Lev and Vika were presumably executed by their government, and Kolya and Lev are given what some would regard as a ridiculous and dangerous task to win their freedom, yet all three voluntarily put themelves in extreme danger to defend their country. Explain this apparent contradiction by discussing examples throughout the novel.
• The book illustrates a number of instances in which the extreme conditions of war lead to the loss of humanity, but in other instances, these same conditions leads to acts of heroism and self-sacrifice. Explain this apparent contradiction by discussing examples throughout the novel.
• When Lev observes, “Everyone has fear in them somewhere; fear is a part of our inheritance…. Cannibals and Nazis didn’t make Kolya nervous, but the threat of embarrassment did – the possibility that a stranger might laugh at the lines he had written” (Benioff 165), he seems to be suggesting that at least some humans fear embarrassment more than danger and death. Is Lev right about Kolya? Is this true about Lev himself? Discuss the depiction of fear by discussing examples throughout the novel.
• At the beginning of the novel, Lev is a scared teenager, too shy to tell Vera he likes her, but by the end of the book he shows he is capable of acts of both bravery and calculation. How does Kolya help Lev develop as a young man?

You may propose a topic of your own. However, you must get it approved by your instructor before you begin writing.

Your essay

• Should contain a clear thesis statement asserting your view, evaluation, or interpretation of a narrowly defined, focused aspect of your topic.
• Should abide by the conventions of writing about literature (e.g. use the present tense to describe fictional events and avoid attributing motive to the author.
• May include research material, as long as you cite your sources properly. However, you are not required to use research, and your evidence should consist primarily of your own analysis of the text. 
• Should be formatted in MLA style and should include an MLA style Works Cited page.

Due dates:

Prewriting – due _______________________

(1) Choose your topic.

(2) Collect evidence that relates to your topic from the text (i.e. quotes, examples, and specific details). 

(3) Analyze your evidence carefully: look for trends and logical groupings that you can develop into points/subtopics/paragraphs.

(4) Define your points/subtopics/paragraphs and select the evidence that will best support each one.

(5) Organize your points and evidence into an outline.

(6) Draft a working thesis that expresses your interpretation of your specific topic.

We will workshop your outline in class. No points for late outlines!

Draft – due _______________________

Bring to class a reasonably complete draft of your essay, typed or neatly handwritten, which we will workshop in class. No points for late drafts!

Final draft – due _______________________

Your final draft should be typed and double-spaced with all quotes and specific text references documented with parenthetical in-text citations in MLA (Modern Languages Association) format. Please include your prewriting/outline, draft, and peer review worksheets with your final draft.