Explication Project, English 303, Fall 2001

Write a brilliant, coherent, well-organized essay in which you explicate a passage from one of our texts. Focus first on an analysis of the style and structure of the passage, RESISTing the temptation to summarize or "translate" the passage; focus instead on the specific stylistic elements (if it's poetry, meter, rhyme, sound effects; and for all passages, figurative language, voice, tone, diction, etc.) displayed in the text, and USE this information to support an argument about the meaning of the passage. Then explore the relationship between the passage and the work from which it is taken.

Your primary goal throughout is to develop an argument about the passage in question; this requires the selection and organization of details, and may mean emphasizing certain details at the expense of others.

Your paper should be 2-3 typed, double-spaced pages long, and should have a clearly-defined thesis.

Some possible passages:

Jane Eyre, an early description of Thornfield, vol. I, ch. 11 (middle para. on p. 121); the flight from Rochester, opening paragraphs of Vol. III, ch. 2 (pp. 362-363); the description of the Rivers' home, later that same chapter (pp. 371-372)

In Memoriam section 27, section 104, or section 106

Due in class Wednesday, September 26 (note changed due date)