English 11/12 Midterm Essay

Compare/Contrast Essay        ___/40

Read the following definitions of two similar, but different literary figures.

·       A tragic hero is a character with a fatal flaw (like pride, for example) who is doomed to fail in search of their tragic dream despite their best efforts or good intentions.  A tragic hero is a good and noble person whose choices (sometimes combines with fate) lead to his/her own demise.  Lastly, the suffering of the hero must not be senseless: it must have meaning! 

·       An anti-hero is a central character in a work of literature who lacks traditional heroic qualities such as courage, physical prowess, and fortitude. Anti-heroes typically distrust conventional values and are unable to commit themselves to any ideals. They generally feel helpless in a world over which they have no control. Anti-heroes usually accept, and often celebrate, their positions as social outcasts.  They show the frailty of being human, and authors often use this literary device to criticize society’s treatment of the individual.

Directions:

Characterize both Willy Loman (Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller) and Randall McMurphy (One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey) as either tragic heroes or anti-heroes.  You may choose to define them as two different types of hero or as the same type.  Refer to the rubric for planning ideas/directions:

·       Paragraph #1: Name which books, authors, and characters you are going to discuss.  Name how you are going to define each of them. (5 points)

·       Paragraph #2: Discuss McMurphy in One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest.  Is he a tragic hero or anti-hero and why?  Give at least three specific reasons for your definition. (10 points)

·       Paragraph #3: Discuss Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman.  Is he a tragic hero or anti-hero and why?  Give at least three specific reasons for your definition. (10 points)

·       Paragraph #4: Give and overview of how McMurphy and Willy Loman are similar and different.  Discuss what the authors’ purposes were for both characters—what point(s) were Kesey and Miller making about modern life by writing about non-traditional heroes? (10 points)

·       **5 points for overall readability (organization and editing)