Compare or contrast the use of symbolism in A Jury of Her Peers and The Lottery.
Write a literary essay choosing one of the short story topics presented below. Use the story to support and illustrate
your ideas. You are not expected to do outside research for this assignment, although you may wish to do so to
understand the story more fully. If you wish to locate critical discussions of the stories, you may find it helpful to
search the Literature Resource Centre database accessible through the college library. Should you choose to use
additional sources, include them in the text of the essay and in the Works Cited. Be careful to avoid plagiarism!
Read the model essays in the textbook for ideas about how to proceed or how to develop and shape ideas
for the essay. The “Reading List” indicates sections of the textbook which may be useful.
Expectations:
– a clear thesis statement at the end of the introductory paragraph, as modeled in the Canadian Content and
Literature textbooks;
– a formal outline, developed to the third level; (an integral part of the assignment)
– double-spaced, single-sided, and legibly written in blue or black ink, or typed on uniform, standard 8 1/2
x 11 clear or lined numbered pages and with one-inch margins on all four sides. Create a title page,
with an engaging title, as demonstrated in class.
– Use the in-text documentation format described in the eighth edition of the MLA Handbook. Consult
the Literature text or a writers handbook for general information regarding in-text
documentation.
1. Discuss the use of setting and character in “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” to show that the
story may be read as a moralistic story warning young women to be “good girls.” How is Connie shown to be
tempted to be a “bad” girl? What does Arnold Friend and Ellie Oscar represent? How does the setting of the
town and drive-in correspond to the theme of temptation?
2. Discuss how the characters of Mrs. Peters and Margaret Hale act as character foils to illustrate the character
traits of Minnie Wright and to justify their being seen as Minnies “peers.” What decision do they reach
regarding Minnies guilt? How do their respective backgrounds lead them to their decision?
3. Discuss the use of setting and symbolism in “Hills Like White Elephants,” to illustrate the choices available to
Jig and how she seems to see the settings as representing her options and their outcomes. What decision do you
think Jig makes? Support your ideas with information from the story.
4. Are women universally regarded in literature in the traditional role of being “the weaker sex,” or does some
literature show a more robust, sturdy side of women? You may wish to examine the female characters in any
three of “The Story of an Hour,” “A Jury of Her Peers,” “Everyday Use,” “A Rose for Emily,” and “Hills Like
White Elephants” in developing your discussion.
5. Compare or contrast the use of symbolism in “A Jury of Her Peers” and “The Lottery.” How does the bird
cage function as a symbol in “Jury”? How does the black box function as a symbol in “The Lottery”? Which
story, in your opinion, makes better use of symbolism? Why?
Alternatively, you may write an essay discussing the use of symbolism in either story as a stand-alone topic.
6. What kind of person is the narrator of “The Cask of Amontillado”? You might want to consider his motive for
revenge, the means by which he obtains revenge, his sense of humour in talking with Fortunato, and the idea
that he is revealing this event fifty years after its occurrence.
7. One commentator has stated that the setting of “A Jury of Her Peers” has the effect of creating a strong sense
of isolation. Discuss the various kinds of isolation the story suggests.
8. What ideas about family does “Everyday Use” suggest? Examine the personalities of the three female
characters in the story and the conflicts among the three, as well as the supporting relationships among them.
