English XI – Mr. Brennan

Paper Topic

Hawthorne and Poe

3-5 pages

Due 10/16/03

            Whether looking at Hawthorne’s eccentric minister wearing his black veil or wincing as the axe buries in the head of the wife in “The Black Cat,” both Poe and Hawthorne push the characters in their stories to extremes.  In a well-written essay, present the extremes that each author employs en route to their intended message.  Why does each author present characters in uniquely drastic ways?  How do the stories gain strength from those oddities?  In the end, which author utilizes these extremes in the most productive way?

            Be sure to refer to at least two stories from each author.  Make sure you review the Style Sheet Guidelines on the webpage.  USE QUOTES!  Proofread, proofread, proofread!  Please bring to class on Tuesday a compilation of the quotes you plan on using in your paper.  Get started this weekend!

GOOD LUCK!!!