Write a well-structured five-paragraph essay, including a clear introduction and conclusion. Use examples from the assigned readings in your textbook to support your arguments. Provide MLA in-text citations for references, but a Works Cited page is not required.
Choose one of the following prompts:
The Enlightenment’s Influence:
Select one of the texts we have studied and analyze how the narrative reflects the key concerns and values of the Enlightenment. In your analysis, consider the philosophical ideas of thinkers such as Kant and Descartes and how these ideas are embodied or critiqued in the works of authors like Voltaire, Swift, and Molière. Use specific examples from the text and our course materials, including references to these Enlightenment figures, to illustrate your points.
Comparative Journeys: Candide and Gulliver:
Compare and contrast the journeys undertaken by Candide and Gulliver in their respective stories. How do their experiences and the lessons they learn reflect both the similarities and differences in the satirical critiques offered by Voltaire and Swift? Support your analysis with detailed examples from the texts.
The portrayal of Female Characters in Candide and Tartuffe:
Examine the portrayal of female characters in both Candide by Voltaire and Tartuffe by Molière. Consider how characters like Cunégonde in Candide and Elmire in Tartuffe are treated or what expectations are placed upon them. Analyze their roles within the stories and discuss whether they reinforce or challenge gender stereotypes of their time. Provide specific examples from both texts to support your analysis.