1. HAMLET and THE SCARLET LETTER
Critical Lens Essays
HAMLET and THE SCARLET LETTER

2. IN GENERAL--THE TASK You are given a statement about literature
You put that statement into your own words
You agree or disagree with the statement
You support your position with details from literature you have read

3. YOUR ASSIGNMENT
Agree or disagree with of the following statement using details from Hamlet and The Scarlet Letter to support your opinion.
“The ultimate measure of people is not where they stand in moments of comfort and convenience, but where they stand at times of challenge and controversy.”
--Martin Luther King, Jr.

4. REQUIREMENTS Your paper should: 1. Be typed and at least 2 pages long.
2. Provide a clear exploration of the lens.
3. Indicate whether you agree or disagree with the lens.
4. Discuss details from Hamlet and The Scarlet Letter to support your argument.
5. Discuss at least 2 different literary techniques to support your argument.
6. Have well developed paragraphs including topic sentences, supporting details, and explanation of details.

5. DUE DATE
Your critical lens essay on Hamlet and The Scarlet Letter will be due:
TUESDAY JUNE 10, 2014

6. ORGANIZATION You might have 4 paragraphs Intro
Body 1 (about first text)
Body 2 (about second text)
Conclusion

7. ORGANIZATION Intro A. Lens B. Exploration of the lens -- thesis
C. Indicate whether you agree/disagree
D. Title, Author, Genre Information

8. EXPLORING THE LENS Explore the lens – Things to keep in mind
Figure out what big idea the lens expresses.
Consider not just the idea but its consequences. For example, what are the possible results if this idea is or is not understood by characters?
Spend time developing an idea that is uniquely yours rather than simply restating the idea of someone else.
Think about how it will apply to literature
Write a few sentences that explore the big idea and its consequences.
Don’t go word by word and replace with synonyms.

9. EXPLORING THE LENS
“The bravest of individuals is the one who obeys his or her conscience.”
Don’t simply say:
The most courageous of people is the one who follows her or his morals.
This is a good place to begin but it’s too simple.
How can we better explore this idea?

10. EXPLORING THE LENS
1. Think about why it takes bravery to obey one’s conscience.
2. Think about the benefits of obeying one’s conscience.
3. Think about the consequences of not obeying one’s conscience.
4. Think about why so many people are so quick to go against what they know is right?
5. Keep the literature in mind.

11. EXPLORING THE LENS
When we explore deeply we end up with this: The most courageous of people is the one who follows her or his morals. Doing what is right can be more difficult because evil is often the easy way out. Although it is often more difficult to do what is right, the best people are willing to put forth the extra effort. If they don’t, they know it will come back to hurt them in the end.

12. Agree / Disagree Usually easier to agree
Don’t make reference to yourself.
Combine this with the TAG information
Don’t say “the quote”, “the statement”, “the lens”
Make reference to your interpretation
Agreeable means nice, not that you agree.
Example:
Two works of literature that show how the best people obey their conscience are The Scarlet Letter, a novel by Hawthorne, and Hamlet, a play by Shakespeare.

13. Sample Intro – Put it all together
J.F. Clarke once said, “The bravest of individuals is the one who obeys his or her conscience.” This means that the most courageous of people is the one who follows her or his morals. Doing what is right can be more difficult because evil is often the easy way out. Although it is often more difficult to do what is right, the best people are willing to put forth the extra effort. If they don’t, they know it will come back to hurt them in the end. Two works of literature that show how the best people obey their conscience are The Scarlet Letter, a novel by Hawthorne, and Hamlet, a play by Shakespeare.

14. Body Paragraphs: Topic Sentence
II and III Body Paragraphs
A. Topic Sentence (1 sentence)
Should explain that the first text supports idea expressed in your exploration--thesis.
Example:
Hester, the main character in The Scarlet Letter, is a strong example of a character whose bravery is revealed through her always following her conscience no matter how difficult it is.

15. Body Paragraphs: Choosing details
B. Supporting Details (8-10 sentences)
Determine what kind of details you need to support point in topic sentence.
Choose appropriate specific details from text.
Detail set 1  Characters following morals
(Hester refusing to name father, fighting to keep Pearl, telling Dimmesdale truth, pleading with Chillingworth to spare Dimmesdale)
Detail set 2  Bravery of these acts
(faces ridicule of town, forced to live as an outcast, endures the hate of Chillingworth, stands up to Governor, does not hide “A”)

16. Body Paragraphs: Literary Techniques
Look at the details you have chosen to support the point made in your topic sentence.
Determine which literary technique is represented in those details.
Explain how detail is an example of that literary technique.
Ex.: Hester does not hide her “A”.
Symbolism “A” represents her sin; she does not try to deny what she has done; shows bravery by doing what is right.

17. Body Paragraphs: Transition and Explaining details
In between sets of details have a sentence of transition. (Although Hester followed her conscience it was not easy.)
Once finished providing details, explain HOW they support the point you make in your topic sentence.
A. This can be done after each detail set OR
B. This can be done at the end after all details sets
Example: Hester obeying her conscience and conspicuously showing the town her “A” showed a lot of bravery on her part. She gracefully accepted her punishment and never hid who she truly was even when it would have been much easier to do so.

18. Organization IV. Conclusion Restate thesis Summarize main points
Explore the importance of your point; how does your analysis contribute to a better understanding of the texts and their characters?
Example:
Only the bravest characters are capable of standing up to the pressure to take the easy way out and obey their conscience. Hester and Hamlet experienced tremendous conflicts internal and external in order to do what they knew was right. Through this we come to understand how truly strong Hester Prynne is and how much Hamlet matures from the beginning of the play.

19. FOR RIGHT NOW: Begin working on your essay: Choose a lens
Explore the lens
Decide which detail sets you will need to support your point.
Decide which literary techniques you will use to support your point.
BEGIN WRITING.