Essay+Topics

=The Razor's Edge=

1. Isabel tells Maugham that Larry truly loved her. She says that she loved him, too. Given how their lives ended up, was their love real? Could a marriage have worked? What would have been the consequences if Isabel joined Larry on his adventures, or if Larry went back to Chicago?

2. What did Larry discover about himself and the universe and will his new path in life grant him happiness and success? Analyze Larry's enlightenment to uncover how Larry discovered his meaning to life.

3. How do the other characters compare to Larry? How and why is Larry different? Larry grew up in the same environment with the same opportunities as Isabel and Gray; however, Larry chose an alternative path in life. Ultimately, is Larry a character readers should look up to and idolize?

= = = = =//1984//=

1.Discuss the idea of Room 101, the place where everyone meets his or her worst fear. Keeping in mind that for most of Winston’s time at the Ministry of Love, he does not know what he will find in Room 101, what role does that uncertainty play in making Room 101 frightening? Does the cage of rats break Winston’s spirit, or does it merely play a symbolic role?

2 . What role does Big Brother play within the novel? What effect does he have on Winston? Is Winston’s obsession with Big Brother fundamentally similar to or different from his obsession with O’Brien? 3. Communist Leaders. Research one of the key personalities in world communism: for example, Karl Marx, Vladimir Lenin, Leon Trotsky, Joseph Stalin, Fidel Castro, Alexander Dubcek, Mikhail Gorbachev, Eric Honecker, Wojciech Jaruszelski, Mao Zedong, Ho Chi Minh, or Pol Pot. Have them write a biographical sketch that includes a discussion of how the life or ideas of this leader relate to 1984.

4. Communism in the United States. Find out about the Communist Party in the United States: its beginnings, its history, its key personalities, membership during the Stalin era, the McCarthy years, and the party today. Instruct them to combine what they learn into a report.

5. How does George Orwell's novel invoke fear in its readers? There are many issues throughout the novel that you may want to consider: invasion of privacy, racial stereotyping, freedom of speech, violence, poverty, etc. How does Orwell create a negative utopia to share his political fears of the future?

6. Describe Winston’s character as it relates to his attitude toward the Party. In what ways might his fatalistic streak contribute to his ultimate downfall? Cite examples from the text to prove your opinions.

7. How does technology affect the Party’s ability to control its citizens? In what ways does the Party employ technology throughout the book? Cite examples from the text to prove your opinions.

8. Discuss the idea of Room 101, the place where everyone meets his or her worst fear. Keeping in mind that for most of Winston’s time at the Ministry of Love, he does not know what he will find in Room 101, what role does that uncertainty play in making Room 101 frightening? Does the cage of rats break Winston’s spirit, or does it merely play a symbolic role? Cite examples from the text to prove your opinions.

9. What role does Big Brother play within the novel? What effect does he have on Winston? Is Winston’s obsession with Big Brother fundamentally similar to or different from his obsession with O’Brien? Cite examples from the text to prove your opinions.

= = = = =//Man's Search for Meaning//=

1. Vicktor Frankl's personal story of his survival of a concentration camp has had an impact on many readers and is regarded as one of the most inspirational texts of the 20th century. Based on your interpretation of his story, explain how the story is inspirational? The story explores one of the most horrific events of the 20th century, so how can inspiration come out such a dark time in history?