Choose one of the fairy tales from the collection of Grimms’ fairy tales we use for class and analyze it in terms of Colette Dowling’s concept of the “Cinderella Complex,” Heather Lyons’ assertion that heroines in traditional tales are often more assertive and even subversive than is currently recognized (she emphasizes the historical context of the tales).

Assignment Question

Assignment: Write an essay of three to four pages on one of the following topics. You must use MLA formatting, and your paper must be no fewer than three and no more than four pages long. Your essay should be entirely your own: no outside research is allowed.

Topics: Choose one of the fairy tales from the collection of Grimms’ fairy tales we use for class and analyze it in terms of Colette Dowling’s concept of the “Cinderella Complex,” Heather Lyons’ assertion that heroines in traditional tales are often more assertive and even subversive than is currently recognized (she emphasizes the historical context of the tales), or Bruno Bettelheim’s idea of the therapeutic “uses of enchantment.”

Choose one of the chapter books we read for class and analyze how one of its themes is developed through such elements as plot (but be careful not make your paper primarily a plot summary), characterization, narrative point of view, setting, and symbolism. Below is a list of the titles and themes you may choose from: The Tale of Despereaux – light versus darkness; beauty versus ugliness; the quest; the power of storytelling Charlotte’s Web- friendship, loyalty, cycles of life The Birchbark House- the importance of place; the community of all living things; the complexity of identity; the difficulties of the marginalized The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963 – bullying, friendship, family, prejudice Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone – friendship, otherness, breaking rules, forbidden knowledge, destiny The War That Saved My Life – self-discovery, acceptance, family, identity Number the Stars – coming of age, friendship, deprivation, oppression, bigotry, bravery The Giver – the importance of memory, the value of the individual, the danger of conformity, the relationship between pleasure and pain Criteria used for grading your essay: the thoroughness and in-depth approach of your analysis the logic of your argument the effective use of textual evidence the correct use of grammar and punctuation the proper use of MLA formatting