Choose a literary time period you are most interested in from the list below:

Romanticism
Realism
Modernism
Postmodernism
Choose TWO works of literature, OF THE SAME TIME PERIOD, from the list below:
Young Goodman Brown by Nathaniel Hawthorne
The Masque of the Red Death by Edgar Allan Poe
An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge by Ambrose Bierce
A Pair of Silk Stockings by Kate Chopin
The Lottery by Shirley Jackson
Babylon Revisited by F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Veldt by Ray Bradbury
Barn Burning by William Faulkner
American Short Stories Textbook
A Multicultural Reader Textbook
Identify a common theme in your two chosen texts OR compare and contrast an aspect of the works of literature that you will FOCUS ON FOR YOUR ESSAY. These are some suggestions:
Themes:
Religion and Faith
The American Dream
The Meaning of Freedom
The Journey to Identity
Fear of the Unknown
Aspects of Literature:
The beginning and end of the stories
Two characters from each story
Dialogue spoken and the actions made
Setting and the plot
Time period set and the time period written in
Write out your essay, in proper essay format.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENT: An introduction paragraph, 1 body paragraph with 3 pieces of evidence, and a conclusion paragraph.
Be sure to indent the paragraphs, use correct grammar and punctuation, and read it over a couple of times to check for any corrections that might need to be made.
Include the correct citations, both in text and your Works Cited. If you are unsure how to do citations, refer to the link at the bottom of this document.
Your essay must include an introduction paragraph, 1 body paragraph with 3 pieces of evidence, and a conclusion paragraph. This is the minimum requirement...

Romanticism is a literary time period that is characterized by an emphasis on emotions, individualism, and the beauty of nature. Two works of literature from the Romanticism period that stand out are "Young Goodman Brown" by Nathaniel Hawthorne and "The Masque of the Red Death" by Edgar Allan Poe. These two works share a common theme of the fear of the unknown, but they approach it in different ways.

In "Young Goodman Brown," the protagonist is faced with the fear of the unknown as he embarks on a journey into the woods to meet with the devil. Goodman Brown is torn between his faith and the temptation of evil, which represents the unknown. As he delves deeper into the forest, he becomes increasingly paranoid and suspicious of those around him, ultimately losing his faith and descending into darkness.

On the other hand, "The Masque of the Red Death" explores the fear of the unknown through a different lens. The story is set during a devastating plague, where the wealthy Prince Prospero locks himself and his guests inside his abbey to escape the Red Death. Despite their attempts to shield themselves from the outside world, the Red Death manages to infiltrate the party, reminding them that death is inevitable and cannot be avoided.

While both works address the fear of the unknown, they differ in their approach and outcome. In "Young Goodman Brown," the protagonist succumbs to his fear and loses his faith, while in "The Masque of the Red Death," the characters are forced to confront their mortality and the inevitability of death. This contrast highlights the differing attitudes towards the unknown in Romantic literature and showcases the complexities of human nature.

In conclusion, "Young Goodman Brown" and "The Masque of the Red Death" both explore the theme of the fear of the unknown within the Romanticism period. Through the stories of Goodman Brown and Prince Prospero, the authors convey the complexity of human emotions and the inevitability of confronting the unknown. Despite their differences in approach, both works offer valuable insights into the human psyche and the struggle to overcome fear in the face of uncertainty.

change it up a bit

Romanticism is a literary time period characterized by an emphasis on emotions, individualism, and the beauty of nature. Within this period, two notable works of literature are "Young Goodman Brown" by Nathaniel Hawthorne and "The Masque of the Red Death" by Edgar Allan Poe, both of which explore the theme of the fear of the unknown.

In "Young Goodman Brown," the protagonist embarks on a journey into the woods, symbolizing his descent into darkness and the unknown. As he encounters various temptations and sinister figures, Goodman Brown grapples with the fear of losing his faith and succumbing to evil. The story portrays the internal struggle between the known world of his puritanical faith and the allure of the unknown, ultimately leading to his disillusionment.

On the other hand, "The Masque of the Red Death" takes a different approach to the fear of the unknown. Set during a devastating plague known as the Red Death, the wealthy Prince Prospero locks himself and his guests in his abbey to escape the horrors outside. However, the Red Death makes its way into the palace, showcasing the inevitability of death and the futility of trying to shield oneself from the unknown forces of mortality.

Though both works explore the fear of the unknown, they do so in distinct ways. "Young Goodman Brown" focuses on the internal conflict within the protagonist as he navigates the temptations of the unknown, while "The Masque of the Red Death" externalizes the fear through the symbolic presence of the Red Death. Despite their differences, both stories reflect the Romantic fascination with the complexities of human nature and the eternal struggle against the unknown.

In conclusion, "Young Goodman Brown" and "The Masque of the Red Death" offer insightful reflections on the theme of the fear of the unknown within the Romanticism period. Through the characters of Goodman Brown and Prince Prospero, these works delve into the internal and external manifestations of fear, highlighting the human struggle to confront the uncertainties of life and mortality. By delving into the depths of human psyche and existential fears, these works remain timeless reflections of the Romantic era's preoccupation with the unknown.