Theme Analysis Essay over A Worn Path by Eudora Welty
Purpose: To critically examine and analyze the overarching themes of a story. According to Perrine, “The function of literary writers is not to state a theme but to vivify it.” Structure: You are going to take A Worn Path by Eudora Welty and discuss at least 2 themes you found throughout the story. This should resemble an academically structured essay, not just a stream of consciousness. It is strongly encouraged to use something similar to a 5-paragraph structure. There are no right or wrong answers…you are using your critical thinking and reading skills to come up with your own ideas about how specific themes are present in the story of your choosing. You must have sufficient proof of why your ideas are right. Use the story and cite phrases that back up your ideas frequently. This is not a summary of the story! Be sure you are interpreting and analyzing. You will put meaning into themes of the story. Your essay should also contain a properly formatted MLA Works Cited page. You are required to have one source, the Perrine textbook. Remember that if you have a source listed in the Works Cited page, it must be present as an in-text citation in the body of the essay and vice versa. Audience: You are writing for someone who has read the stories and wants to know more about your perspective. Logistics: • Double-spaced, titled, Times New Roman, 12-point font, 1-inch margins, MLA formatting. • A minimum of 4 full pages of writing not including Works Cited page. • Only one source is required, the Perrine textbook. • Academic language should be used throughout this essay, but you may have instances where first or second person statements may be applicable. o Omit slang, jargon, casual, conversational, or curse words. o Omit questions from academic writing.
