Mock Exam Questions:

• To what extent do the protagonists in the two works you have studied struggle with societal expectations?
• Compare the role of memory in shaping identity in the two texts you have studied.
• How do the authors of the two works you studied use symbolism to enhance their central themes?
• Discuss how setting influences the conflicts in the two works you have studied.

Example Thesis Breakdown for Question: To what extent do the protagonists in the two works you have studied struggle with societal expectations?

• Directly answering the question:
  • While both Orwell’s 1984 and Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale depict protagonists grappling with oppressive societal expectations, their struggles manifest in distinct ways.
• Clearly stating the argument:
  • Orwell presents Winston’s defiance as an outward act of rebellion against totalitarian control, highlighting the consequences of resisting an all-powerful regime.
  • In contrast, Atwood portrays Offred’s struggle as a quieter, internal conflict, where memory and hope serve as forms of resistance against a system designed to strip individuals of identity and autonomy.
• Highlighting the key comparison points:
  • By contrasting external rebellion with internal resilience, both novels explore the complexities of defying societal norms in dystopian worlds.

Example for Question 2 (Memory and Identity):

• Paragraph 1: How Beloved (Toni Morrison) and The Remains of the Day (Kazuo Ishiguro) depict memory as a burden.
• Paragraph 2: How characters in both texts attempt to suppress or reshape their memories.
• Paragraph 3: How memory ultimately defines the identity of key characters in both texts.

Example for Question 3 (Symbolism):

• Paragraph 1: Symbolism in The Great Gatsby (e.g., green light representing unattainable dreams).
• Paragraph 2: Symbolism in Death of a Salesman (e.g., seeds representing Willy Loman’s failed dreams).
• Paragraph 3: Direct comparison of how both authors use symbols to critique the American Dream.

Breakdown of a Comparative Essay Intro

• Text Type & Context:
  • F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby (1925) and Arthur Miller’s play Death of a Salesman (1949) explore the American Dream’s failures. Fitzgerald critiques the illusion of success in the wealth-driven 1920s, while Miller exposes the harsh reality of working-class disillusionment in post-war America.
• Author’s Purpose & Audience:
  • Fitzgerald targets a society obsessed with material wealth, revealing its emptiness, whereas Miller warns working-class audiences of the dangers of blind ambition and misplaced faith in success.
• Thesis Statement:
  • While both Gatsby and Willy Loman struggle with societal expectations and the pursuit of the American Dream, Gatsby’s downfall stems from his illusion of love and status, whereas Willy’s tragedy lies in his unwavering belief in a broken system.
• Roadmap:
  • This essay will examine symbolism, characterization, and setting to explore how both authors critique the American Dream and its emotional toll.

Example PEEL Paragraph for Question 3 (Symbolism in The Great Gatsby and Death of a Salesman) with Integrated Comparison

• P (Point - Clear Statement with Comparison):
  • Both The Great Gatsby and Death of a Salesman use symbolism to critique the unattainability of the American Dream, but while Fitzgerald presents it as an illusion of success, Miller portrays it as a desperate struggle against inevitable failure.
• E (Evidence - Direct Textual Examples from Both Texts):
  • In The Great Gatsby, the green light represents Gatsby’s impossible dream of rekindling his past with Daisy and his relentless pursuit of wealth as a means to achieve happiness. Similarly, in Death of a Salesman, Willy’s seeds symbolize his final attempt to plant something meaningful—both literally and figuratively—after a lifetime of failed ambitions.
• E (Explanation - Effect of Literary Techniques with Direct Comparison):
  • Fitzgerald’s use of the green light as a distant and ethereal symbol reflects Gatsby’s illusion that success and love are always just out of reach, reinforcing the idea that the American Dream is built on false hope.
  • In contrast, Miller’s use of seeds as a physical and immediate symbol highlights Willy’s urgent need to create a lasting impact before he is completely forgotten. This difference in symbolism reflects the protagonists' distinct struggles—Gatsby is blinded by an unattainable fantasy, while Willy is crushed by the weight of reality. While Gatsby’s dream remains forever out of reach, Willy’s final act of planting seeds represents his futile attempt to take control of his fate, despite already being doomed to failure.
• L (Link - Connecting to the Thesis and Next Point):
  • Both Fitzgerald and Miller critique the American Dream, but whereas Gatsby’s pursuit is driven by romanticized illusion, Willy’s is fueled by desperation and disillusionment.
  • This contrast in symbolic representation emphasizes how the American Dream can either be an unreachable ideal or a burden that leads to self-destruction. The idea of false hope is further reinforced through setting, where Gatsby’s extravagant yet empty world contrasts with Willy’s confined, decaying home, highlighting the broader societal structures that trap both characters.

Example Conclusion for a Comparative Essay with Breakdown

• Restate the Thesis:
  • Both The Great Gatsby and Death of a Salesman critique the American Dream by portraying protagonists whose relentless pursuit of success leads to their downfall. While Fitzgerald illustrates Gatsby’s struggle through illusion and unattainable ideals, Miller presents Willy Loman’s failure as a tragic consequence of blind faith in a flawed system.
• Summarize Key Findings:
  • Through symbolism, characterization, and setting, Fitzgerald highlights the emptiness behind material wealth, while Miller exposes the personal cost of a lifetime chasing unrealistic success. Both authors demonstrate how societal expectations can lead individuals toward self-destruction.
• Final Insight:
  • Ultimately, these texts remain relevant today, as they challenge audiences to question whether the American Dream is truly attainable or merely an illusion that perpetuates false hope. By exposing the gap between aspiration and reality, Fitzgerald and Miller force readers to confront the emotional and psychological toll of chasing an ideal that may never be within reach.