Paper 2 Outline

Create a Paper 2 Essay outline for BOTH PROMPTS complete with a thesis statement, topic sentences, and evidence.

1) Pride can lead to failure and self-destruction or to accomplishment and self-fulfillment. Discuss the presentation of pride and its consequences in at least two of the works you have studied.

Thesis: Within both novels Things Fall Apart and The Thief and the dogs, the protagonists such as Said and Okonkwo are depicted as characters that are controlled by their pride, inevitably leading to their own self destruction. Mahfouz chooses to portray the psychological projection of the protagonist that intensifies the instability and gradual mental deterioration of Said as he ends up breaking relationships with his loved ones. Analogously, Achebe chooses to depict the fearless nature of Okonkwo where his charisma is driven by his hamartia of which prevents him from conforming to his cultural values, inevitably leading to colonialism.

TS1:Although both authors express this through different contextual lens, both protagonist are characterized as aggressive male figures in order to showcase plot points that enhance the impact of actions in the present.

Evidence: 

- Okonkwo giving his wife a beating

- Said's multiple killing of secondary characters

TS2: Even though Said is characterized as a more sensitive figure, both protagonists use foil characters to contrast with the protagonist's persona, ultimately developing their own downfall.

  Evidence:

- Mr. Smith in contrast with Okonkwo

- Rauf in contrast with Said

TS3: Although both authors are influenced by their background, the pride of both characters inevitably led to the destruction of their own self actualization.

Evidence:

- Arrival of missionaries  that led to Okonkwo killing himself

- Said disappearing after Nur (Final chapter)

2) How are challenges to authority presented in the two works you have studied, and what impact have such challenges had on readers or audiences? 

Thesis: Within both novels Things Fall Apart and The Thief and the dogs are written during key historical moments of Egyptian revolution and the time of African colonization meaning, challenges being presented include poverty, hierarchy class and revolt. This impacts the audiences perception of the specific time period this was written in as it is understood through an authentic style.

TS1: In the beginning of both novels, we are introduced to a traditional setting that reinforces the specific themes of cultural tradition and revolution.

Evidence:

- Igbo huts that is first introduced in TFA

- The jail Said is found in at first

TS2: Even though Achebe focuses on gender equality, towards the middle of both novels, the audience are able to recognize the hierarchal class that creates tension between secondary characters and both protagonists within TFA and TTATD.

- The relationship between Rauf and Said

- The relationship of Okonkwo and his wives

TS3: Towards the end of the novel, the audience are able to appreciate the characters downfall with the advantage of their inner monologue.

- The death of Said

-  The death of Okonkwo