Exam+Information

Be prepared to identify examples of the following: Allusion Metaphor Simile Foreshadowing Light imagery Pun Personification Dramatic irony Gunpowder imagery within a simile Symbol Oxymoron Foil ** For the essay, you will need to write a minimum of two paragraphs. At least one must be a body paragraph; both may be body paragraphs; you may write more if you have time. The grade will be based on: 1. the depth and quality of your interpretation of __Great Expectations__ and on 2. the extent to which you demonstrate mastery of the writing skills we have worked on this year. You may develop any approved thesis. If you would like to do a close reading of one passage instead of conceiving of your paragraphs as part of a longer thesis- driven essay, you will need to write a thesis based on a theme within the passage you closely read so you still have a central idea to develop. **

** Below are some thesis statements and some questions to help you come up with an idea to write about. You may use the thesis statements or jump off from one to create your own. ** ** Sample Thesis Statements- //Great Expectations// **

In the novel __Great Expectations__, Charles Dickens thematically depicts a view of man’s desire for money as a sinister and corrupting force and man’s attention to hard work and acceptance of a simple life as praiseworthy and satisfying.

In the novel __Great Expectations__, Charles Dickens characterizes Miss Havisham as a cruel woman who effectively wounds both Estella and Pip; however, by the end of the novel, her behavior allows the reader to perceive her as a sympathetic character.

Pip, a dynamic character in the novel __Great Expectations__ by Charles Dickens, undergoes three significant changes: one when he meets Estella and Miss Havisham, another when he accepts the opportunity to become a gentleman, and finally when he learns the identity of his benefactor.

In the novel __Great Expectations__, Charles Dickens characterizes Wemmick and Herbert as friends to Pip; however, only Joe’s influence and faithfulness depict him as a father figure.

In the novel __Great Expectations__, Charles Dickens’ portrayal of several prominent women characters as tyrannical, revengeful, and violent initially suggests extreme sexism; however, inclusion of contrastingly praiseworthy female characters brings balance and reinforces a thematic emphasis on the happiness brought about by simplicity.

Revenge, often reputed as sweet, leads to consistently negative consequences in the novel __Great Expectations__ by Charles Dickens.

A master writer, Charles Dickens, in his classic novel, __Great Expectation__, uses foreshadowing to build suspense, keep the reader engaged, and depict highly coincidental occurrences as believable.

In __Great Expectations__ by Charles Dickens, Pip’s affection for Estella begins as infatuation and turns to an outright obsession, but his feelings for her eventually evolve into a devotion that genuinely constitutes true love.

If you are going to answer one of the following questions, please submit your thesis for approval. Include titles, authors, topic and your angle. Big picture questions to choose from:

Literary heroes often possess a tragic flaw, or a character flaw that, despite their noble intentions and otherwise honorable nature, causes their downfall. List three heroes with tragic flaws and explain the negative consequences of actions rooted in those weaknesses. Two examples must be from literature we read this year.

4. Discuss three life lessons literature teaches. Your paragraph must include at least two example from a REQUIRED literary work that is part of the English 9 curriculum.

5. Discuss what literature teaches about the power of one individual to affect the lives of others in a profound way. Incorporate three examples, including at least two examples from a REQUIRED literary work that is part of the English 9 curriculum.

6. Discuss what literature teaches about the nature of courage. Incorporate three examples, including at least two examples from a REQUIRED literary work that is part of the English 9 curriculum.