The idea of the monster/supernatural has evolved throughout various time periods and works we have studied this year, from William Blake to Mary Shelley.
FINAL RESEARCH PAPER
1. Introduction:
- Hook: The idea of the monster/supernatural has evolved throughout various time periods and works we have studied this year, from William Blake to Mary Shelley.
- Connecting Sentence: These works have explored the concept of monsters and the supernatural in different ways, reflecting the changing beliefs and fears of society.
- Thesis:
By examining the portrayal of monsters and the supernatural in the works of William Blake, Mary Shelley, and other authors we have studied, we can see how these representations have shifted from symbols of evil and fear to reflections of societal anxieties and critiques of human nature. This evolution highlights the enduring fascination with the unknown and the monstrous, as well as the ways in which these creatures continue to hold a mirror up to humanity's deepest fears and desires.
2. Body Paragraph 1:
- Topic Sentence: In William Blake's "The Tyger," the tiger symbolizes the fearsome and uncontrollable aspects of nature, serving as a representation of the monstrous and supernatural.
- Analysis of the text: By juxtaposing the tiger with the lamb in his poem, Blake explores the duality of existence and the coexistence of good and evil in the natural world.
- Connection to society: The tiger can be seen as a reflection of the fears and anxieties that were prevalent during Blake's time, such as the Industrial Revolution and the loss of innocence in society.
3. Body Paragraph 2:
- Topic Sentence: Mary Shelley's Frankenstein portrays the monster as a tragic figure, challenging traditional notions of good and evil.
- Analysis of the text: The monster's isolation and longing for companionship humanize him, making readers question who the real monster is in the story.
- Connection to society: Shelley's novel critiques the arrogance of the scientific community and the consequences of playing god, reflecting the fears and uncertainties of a rapidly changing world.
4. Body Paragraph 3:
- Topic Sentence: The supernatural in Edgar Allan Poe's works serves as a macabre exploration of the human psyche and the blurred lines between reality and imagination.
- Analysis of the text: Poe's use of unreliable narrators and eerie settings create a sense of unease and uncertainty, blurring the boundaries between what is real and what is supernatural.
- Connection to society: Poe's stories reflect the growing interest in the macabre and the unknown during the Romantic period, as well as the fascination with death and the afterlife.
5. Conclusion:
- Restate thesis: Throughout the works of William Blake, Mary Shelley, Edgar Allan Poe, and other authors, the portrayal of monsters and the supernatural has evolved to reflect changing societal beliefs and fears.
- Summary of key points: From Blake's exploration of nature and duality to Shelley's critique of science and humanity, and Poe's macabre tales of the supernatural, these authors have used monsters and the supernatural to engage with the darker aspects of human nature and society.
- Final thoughts: The enduring fascination with monsters and the supernatural in literature demonstrates our ongoing desire to confront our fears and uncertainties, as well as our capacity for empathy and understanding of the monstrous within ourselves.