Hello!

So Im having trouble with my thesis statement for an essay. My teacher gave us three questions to answer and make the answers into a thesis statement.
heres the questions and instructions:

Does defining human worth based on shallow measurements, such as wealth and possessions, make true love and humanity impossible? Who/what is to blame for this definition? Is it possible to transcend shallow measurements? Explain.

Based on the short story How much land does a man need by Leo Tolstoy how would the author answer the questions above?

So yah, and also the short story is about a man who wanted more and more land and he was very greedy and he never had time for his wife. He just wanted more land and that was the only thing on his mind. He went to this place and they said how much he runs he can get all the land until he stops. After running too much he gets very tired and he eventually dies. All he needed was 6 feet of land from head to toe.

Give your thesis statement a try, and someone here will check it for you.

Here is a superb site on what is and what is not a true thesis statement:
http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/thesistatement.html

What are your answers to the questions?

These sites will help you take your answers and devise a thesis statement from them.

http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/thesistatement.html

http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/thesis-statements/

Hello! It sounds like you have an interesting assignment. To create a thesis statement based on the questions provided, you can start by analyzing the main ideas and themes presented in the short story "How much land does a man need" by Leo Tolstoy.

Firstly, consider the question about whether defining human worth based on shallow measurements makes true love and humanity impossible. In the story, the protagonist's obsession with accumulating wealth and possessions, specifically land, leads to a lack of love and empathy towards others, including his wife. This suggests that when human worth is solely determined by materialistic values, true love and humanity become unattainable.

Secondly, think about who or what is responsible for this definition. In "How much land does a man need," the main character's insatiable desire for land is driven by societal expectations and pressures. He is influenced by a culture that values material wealth and status, leading him to define his worth based on these shallow measurements. Therefore, societal influence and cultural norms can be seen as contributing factors to this definition.

Lastly, consider the possibility of transcending shallow measurements. In the short story, the protagonist's realization of the insignificance of his accumulation of land occurs only at the moment of his death. This suggests that it is only through extreme circumstances or personal tragedy that individuals may awaken to the shallowness of defining worth based on material possessions. Thus, the story implies that transcending shallow measurements is possible, but often requires a profound change in perspective.

With these ideas in mind, you can craft a thesis statement that reflects your analysis of the short story and answers the questions provided. For example:

"In Leo Tolstoy's 'How much land does a man need,' the author illustrates that defining human worth based on shallow measurements, such as wealth and possessions, leads to the impossibility of true love and humanity. The protagonist's obsession with amassing land, influenced by societal expectations, ultimately causes him to neglect his relationships and realize the insignificance of his materialistic pursuits. Tolstoy's story highlights the need to transcend these shallow measurements, suggesting that it is only through personal transformation and a shift in perspective that individuals can find true love and rediscover their humanity."

Remember, this is just one possible approach to crafting a thesis statement. You can modify and refine it further to accurately reflect your interpretation of the story. Good luck with your essay!