So for the summer I had to read cat's eye by Margaret Atwood and this happened to be a hard book to understand for me. I need help writing an essay in which I have to write an analytical essay detailing 3 events in the story where the author notably develops specific character traits in Elaine Risley so that the reader can identify with very human and universal character traits crafted throughout the novel. I was hoping for some ideas about what could be some character traits for the main character. I was also hoping for someone to clearly explain the prompt to me as well. Thanks

Did you read my earlier response?

"Your thesis statement should state the three character traits you intend to discuss. Be sure these traits are those that typical readers can identify with.

Make an outline of the details of each of these traits.

Write your paper fleshing out the details."

Sure! I can help you with that. First, let me explain the prompt to you.

The prompt asks you to write an analytical essay about specific events in the novel "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood, focusing on how the author develops character traits in the main character, Elaine Risley. The goal is to show how these traits make Elaine relatable and reflect universal human qualities.

To start, you need to identify three events from the book where the author characterizes Elaine in a significant way. These events should provide insights into Elaine's personality, beliefs, or experiences. As you analyze these events, pay attention to how Atwood uses language, dialogue, descriptions, and other literary techniques to convey Elaine's character traits.

Now let's discuss some possible character traits for Elaine Risley:

1. Resilience: Elaine faces several challenges throughout the novel, such as bullying and trauma from her past, but she continues to endure and overcome these obstacles. Look for events where Elaine demonstrates her resilience, like standing up to her bullies or finding ways to cope with her traumatic memories.

2. Ambiguity: Elaine's character is complex and often seems contradictory. She has conflicting emotions, thoughts, and interactions. Explore events where Elaine's ambiguity is evident, such as her mixed feelings towards her childhood friend Cordelia or her internal struggles with her identity and artistic pursuits.

3. Self-reflection: Elaine is an introspective character who often reflects on her past experiences and tries to make sense of them. Look for events where Elaine engages in reflective moments, such as her self-analysis of her childhood or her contemplation of the impact of her relationships. Show how these moments deepen our understanding of her character and make her relatable.

Remember, these are just a few possible character traits for Elaine Risley. You can choose these or come up with your own based on your interpretation of the novel.

Once you've identified the events and character traits, you can start writing your essay, explaining how Margaret Atwood crafts these traits and why they make Elaine a relatable and universally human character. Good luck with your essay!