Instructions: Select one of the following prompts to answer for your compare/contrast essay response essay response. Your essay should be at least 3 paragraphs long and follow the compare/contrast format that was taught in live lesson and that is explained on the preplanning guide. This essay is worth 16 points.
Helpful Links:
Essay Planning Guide
Essay Rubric
Unit 2 Padlet
Question: You need to select ONE of the prompts below for your essay.
Prompt 1:
Theme of Love
Question: Compare and contrast the speakers in the two poems “Love After Love” and “Tonight I can Write.” Both had love and lost, how are the two speakers alike and how are they different?
Prompt 2:
Theme of Equality
Question: Compare and contrast the two characters in “Greek Meets Greek” and “Girls Can We Educate We Dads?” Both Ram in “Greek Meets Greek” and the daughter in “Girls Can We Educate We Dads?” are wanting to be treated equally by society. How are they alike and how are they different?
Prompt 3:
Theme of Oppression
Question: Compare and contrast the two main characters in “The Censors” and “In Trying Times.” Both Juan in “The Censors” and the speaker in “In Trying Times” are fighting against an oppressive government. How are they alike and how are they different?
For my compare/contrast essay, I will be selecting Prompt 3: Theme of Oppression. I will compare and contrast the two main characters in "The Censors" and "In Trying Times." Both Juan in "The Censors" and the speaker in "In Trying Times" are fighting against an oppressive government. I will explore how they are alike and how they are different.
In both "The Censors" and "In Trying Times," the main characters, Juan and the speaker, are individuals who find themselves in conflict with an oppressive government. They both feel a sense of dissatisfaction with the existing system and decide to take action against it. Juan infiltrates the government by becoming a censor, while the speaker in "In Trying Times" speaks out against the oppressive regime through their written words. Both characters share a common goal of opposing the oppressive government and seeking change.
However, despite their shared goal, Juan and the speaker differ in their approaches and beliefs. Juan initially joins the government as a censor with the intention of protecting his girlfriend, Mariana. He believes that by working within the system, he can gain some control and protect his loved ones. On the other hand, the speaker in "In Trying Times" takes a more open and rebellious stance, openly criticizing the government and advocating for change. They do not fear the consequences of their actions and continue to express their dissent even in the face of danger.
Furthermore, Juan and the speaker have different personal motivations driving their actions. Juan's initial intention is to protect his girlfriend, Mariana, but as he becomes more involved, he starts to question his role and the impact of censorship. He becomes conflicted between his responsibility to the government and his desire for freedom. In contrast, the speaker in "In Trying Times" is driven by a sense of justice and a belief in the need for change. They are motivated by their conviction that the oppressive government needs to be challenged and overthrown.
In conclusion, while both Juan in "The Censors" and the speaker in "In Trying Times" are fighting against an oppressive government, they differ in their approaches and motivations. Juan initially joins the government, but his role as a censor leads him to question the system and his own beliefs. The speaker, on the other hand, openly rebels against the government and is motivated by a sense of justice. Despite their differences, both characters share a common goal of opposing the oppressive regime and seeking change.