The Stranger Multi-paragraph Essay Mr. BoskovichEnglish 12

Please select one topic of interest to write your multi-paragraph essay on for our at-home reading and analysis of Albert Camus’s 1942 Nobel Prize-winning novel The Stranger.

1) Explanatory Essay: Choose major or nuanced symbols and explain their significance to the novel as a whole (i.e. how they connect to the theme). Why and how does Camus implement them in this particular manner? Use one academic source that analyzes two to three of the symbols that you have selected; you can use this information to vie for or against your point(s). You may use the Cal State LA database or another database of your choice.

2) Research Essay: Camus, a self-identified Absurdist, is often labeled an Existentialist thinker — much to his chagrin. Based on your in-class notes, handouts, and one reputable source from an academic database, argue whether The Stranger is an Absurdist or Existentialist novel. You must use one additional academic source from a database (e.g. Cal State LA works or you may use another database of your choice). Your academic article must somehow relate to The Stranger, Existentialism, or Absurdism.

3. Colonial Literature: Albert Camus was born and raised in French Algeria, an African country occupied from 1860-1962; In what way is Colonialism evident throughout the novel, and what commentary is Camus making about Colonial-era Algeria. Does he have a particular stance, whether implicit or explicit?

You will utilize your daily reading responses, journals, student-generated questions, and bifurcated-quote journals, and annotations to track your understanding of the novel through the lens of your chosen prompt.

It is your responsibility to come to class prepared for in-class discussion through your notes and journals.

Since this is a multiple-draft paper, we will have various peer-editing sessions, and one-on-one conference times to revise your thesis, organization, sentence structure, voice, and overall use of language within your composition.

Due Date: Tuesday, October 6th, 2015

Rubric: Multiple-Paragraph Essay (see my LACHSA homework page).