Cloud Atlas literary Analysis .

For this essay, you need to be making an argument concerning one of the recurring themes in
Cloud Atlas. There are three major themes: power, predation, and the soul. However, there are
several smaller themes that we’ve discussed throughout the semester (for example, on Monday,
we discussed cinematography and the use of cliché). So, choose a theme, and then make an
argument about that particular theme. That is, do not make your essay “about power;” rather,
make an argument concerning how power is represented in the text. For example, if I noticed
that there were lots of puppies in Cloud Atlas, “There are lots of puppies in Cloud Atlas” would
be a POOR working thesis. A more effective thesis might be “Mitchell frequently uses puppies
in Cloud Atlas to represent the essential nature of the man/dog relationship.” I would then
proceed to use passages from the book to support my argument, much as you were supposed to
do for your last essay. Further, I want you to trace that theme through AT LEAST FOUR of the
six stories contained in the text. So, the theme needs to be present throughout. Here are some
things to keep in mind:
 Be sure to touch on the literary elements we’ve discussed in class. Talk about how
Mitchell uses character, setting, dialogue, etc, to build the theme you are arguing.
 AVOID PLOT SUMMARY if you can ever help it. I DO NOT want this essay to be
heavy on plot summary; I’ve read this book several times, and don’t need to be
repeatedly told “what happens.” One short paragraph of summary is sufficient, and then
no more than one or two sentences per paragraph dealing with plot (at most!) is a good
rule of thumb.
 Continually ask yourself how Mitchell has constructed the theme that you are arguing for.
The point of this assignment is to look deeply at a text. I don’t want a superficial
treatment of your theme based solely on what we’ve discussed in class, though some of
the ideas from class can be used (your reward for attending and participating in
discussions)
 If you are considering one of the three main themes, ask yourself some of the following
questions:
o Power: What does Mitchell seem to be saying about power in this book? Are
there multiple paths to power? If so, what do they have in common? If not, why
not? In what way does this consideration affect the characters in the text?
o Predation: Mitchell himself has said that predation is a major theme of this text.
What does this book seem to say about predation? Are all humans, by nature,
predatory? Is it actually beneficial to transcend this impulse, or are we better off
surrendering to it?
o The Soul: What arguments does the text make concerning the soul? Why do the
“birthmark characters” reincarnate in such seemingly different ways? What kinds
of things do they have in common? What does that say about the nature of the
soul? Is Cavendish one of them? Is Ewing, or Atua? Why a comet?
o If you choose a different theme, ask yourself a variation of some of the questions
above.
 DON’T PROCRASTINATE. A good, close reading takes time, especially of
this magnitude.
 Cite your source, MLA style.