English 120G

Comparative Essay #2 - Exploratory Essay

 

Basic Assignment

Through reading and research, examine the role that religion/faith plays in the lives of these three heroic characters from these readings:

  1. Natty Bumpoo/Hawkeye/Scout - "Last of the Mohicans" by James Fenimore Cooper

  2. Laura Ingalls - "Little House in the Big Woods" by Laura Ingalls Wilder

  3. Lucy Pevensie - "Prince Caspian" by C.S. Lewis (The Chronicles of Narnia)

 

Examples and Advice

1.      Take a closer look at the “heroic” characters you have encountered in these three readings.  To what extent does religion/faith play a role in their development as characters and people?  Use evidence from the text and basic literary research to "flesh-out" your response.

2.      The following are a series of questions you might consider when thinking about and subsequently writing your response:  Remember Roland?  Who was his god?  Where was his loyalty?  How did that play out in the "The Song of Roland"?  How do we know this? Remember Sherlock Holmes?  Who was his god?  Where did he place his faith?  How do we know this? Remember Robert Langdon?  Who was his god?  Where did he place his faith?  How do we know this?   Now apply these types of questions to the three characters in the prompt.

 

Please remember that the idea and concept of religion and faith (and God, him/her/itself) has changed from age to age and that authors (and thus their characters) also have changed over time (or have they?). That's the central idea for your to consider in this exploratory essay as you use the above three texts as examples to illustrate your ideas.

 

Reminders

The paper should have a good title. It should be typed and double-spaced. Please use MLA style to cite texts and provide information on your sources.

 

Due Date

Friday, April 15.  Printed at classtime.

 

Length

3-4 pages

 

Evaluation

50 pts