Essay Prompt:    Full essay with support from the readings. All of our readings fit into the Medieval or middle Ages time period.  So, our written study will be of some of the ideas, values, and themes of medieval societies.  We have a nice range of geographical areas, including Ethiopia, England, the Middle East, and Ancient Mali.  *I prefer for you to do this on your own, based on your understanding of the readings.  But, if you decide to use a source, you must source accurately.  I should see an in-text citation for every word, sentence, and idea that come from a source. And, of course, there should be a correct Works Cited entry for each source used. If MLA formatting is not strictly followed, your paper may be deemed ungradable.

QUESTION

World Literature I.  Final Examination (spring, 2020).

Readings:” Kebra Nagast, “The Glory of Kings,” Geoffrey Chaucer, “The Canterbury Tales: “The General Prologue,” “The Wife of Bath’s Prologue,” “The Wife of Bath’s Tale,”  ”and The Epic of Sundiata, “The Thousand and One Nights.”

Essay Prompt:    Full essay with support from the readings. All of our readings fit into the Medieval or middle Ages time period.  So, our written study will be of some of the ideas, values, and themes of medieval societies.  We have a nice range of geographical areas, including Ethiopia, England, the Middle East, and Ancient Mali.  *I prefer for you to do this on your own, based on your understanding of the readings.  But, if you decide to use a source, you must source accurately.  I should see an in-text citation for every word, sentence, and idea that come from a source. And, of course, there should be a correct Works Cited entry for each source used. If MLA formatting is not strictly followed, your paper may be deemed ungradable.

CHOOSE ONE:   (All discussions must start with a strong and clear thesis.)

1. Provide an analysis of a comparative or contrastive theme found in two or more pieces of literature from two contrasting societies (geographical areas) (from the readings listed above). Show how the two themes are alike and/or different. You may consider various vantage points: philosophy, religion, culture, societies, with support from the readings.  Provide much evidence from the pieces of literature.  Be sure to specify the exact pieces that you are referencing, both in your essay and on the Works Cited page.  Make sure that your essay has a thesis, and that you support it with ample examples from the text.
2. Do a comparative or contrastive analysis of gender in any two of the literary works listed above. Make sure that your essay has a thesis, and that you support it with ample examples from the text.  Compare and contrast gender in two works from two distinct and contrasting geographical areas.  Provide much evidence from the pieces of literature.  Be sure to specify the exact pieces that you are referencing, both in your essay and on the Works Cited page.
3. Comparative religion and philosophy using the literary readings listed above (two distinct and different geographical regions). Construct a thesis that will allow you to discuss comparative or contrastive ideas of religion or philosophy contained within two different pieces of literature and representing two different and contrasting geographical locations. Here the focus will be specifically on philosophical and religious ideas and beliefs. Provide much evidence from the pieces of literature.  You must have a thesis and show support for these ideas from the literatures.

Paper Structure

Introduction

General introduction (Be sure to mention the full name of the pieces of literature and the authors’ names.)

Thesis

Support

Support

Support

Support (if needed)

Conclusion

Further instructions:

1. You must present from a minimum of two literary readings (from the list given above). Each reading from the textbook is one source.  And they should be listed on your Works Cited page as readings from an anthology, not as entries for using an entire book. This essay should be from your own analysis; but, if you choose to use sources, the responsibility is yours to use them correctly and academically according to MLA guidelines.

2. All sources must come from the online college data bases or from other scholarly sites. You may use government data bases for statistical support.  Please see the item in “Supplementary Materials” in Blackboard that lists sources that are not permitted in college papers.
3. Help with in-text citation and Works Cited may be found in Purdue OWL. There is a sample MLA paper on Purdue OWL.

**In all cases, I should be able to tell what you wrote versus what you summarized or quoted from a source.  All of the preceding information should be accompanied in your text by an author last name and a page number. In some cases, paragraph numbers may be used. Your text should be similarly sourced.  See Purdue Owl. This is an in-text or parenthetical citation.  See your text on this or Purdue OWL.

General Guidelines (Purdue Owl)

• Type your paper on a computer on white 8.5 x 11-inch paper.
• Double-space the text of your paper, and use a legible font (e.g. Times New Roman). Whatever font you choose, MLA recommends that the regular and italics type styles contrast enough that they are recognizable one from another. The font size should be 12 pt.
• Leave only one space after periods or other punctuation marks.
• Set the margins of your document to 1 inch on all sides.
• Indent the first line of paragraphs one half-inch from the left margin. MLA recommends that you use the Tab key as opposed to pushing the Space Bar five times.
• Create a header that numbers all pages consecutively in the upper right-hand corner, one-half inch from the top and flush with the right margin.
• Use italics throughout your essay for the titles of longer works and, only when absolutely necessary, providing emphasis.

Formatting the First Page of Your Paper

• Do include a title page for your paper.
• In the upper left-hand corner of the title page, list your name, your instructor’s name, the course, and the date. Use single-spaced text.
• Double space again and center the title. Do not underline, italicize, or place your title in quotation marks; write the title in Title Case (standard capitalization), not in all capital letters.
• Use quotation marks and/or italics when referring to other works in your title, just as you would in your text: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas as Morality Play; Human Weariness in “After Apple Picking”
• Double space between the title and the first line of the text.
• Create a header in the upper right-hand corner that includes your last name, followed by a space with a page number; number all pages consecutively with Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, 4, etc.), one-half inch from the top and flush with the right margin.

Work Cited

The Purdue OWL. Purdue U Writing Lab, 2010. Web. 2/13/2013.

ANSWER

A Comparative Analysis of Gender in “The Canterbury Tales: The Wife of Bath’s Prologue” and “The Thousand and One Nights”

Introduction

In this essay, we will analyze the portrayal of gender in two distinct literary works from contrasting geographical areas—Geoffrey Chaucer’s “The Canterbury Tales: The Wife of Bath’s Prologue” and “The Thousand and One Nights.” These works, set in Medieval England and the Middle East respectively, provide valuable insights into the roles and expectations assigned to men and women in their respective societies. Through a comparative analysis, we will explore the similarities and differences in the representation of gender, considering the perspectives of culture, society, and the individual.

Thesis

Although both “The Canterbury Tales: The Wife of Bath’s Prologue” and “The Thousand and One Nights” showcase complex and multifaceted female characters challenging traditional gender norms, they differ in terms of societal expectations, the role of marriage, and the power dynamics between genders.

Support

Societal Expectations: a. In “The Wife of Bath’s Prologue,” the Wife, a strong-willed and independent woman, challenges the traditional gender roles imposed by society. She proudly asserts her desire for sovereignty over her husbands and openly expresses her sexual agency. Her unapologetic defiance of societal expectations reflects a feminist perspective ahead of its time (Tinkle, 2010). b. In “The Thousand and One Nights,” the portrayal of gender roles is more aligned with patriarchal norms. Women are often depicted as submissive and obedient, fulfilling domestic duties and being subject to male authority. The male characters in the tales exercise power and control over women, reinforcing the prevailing gender hierarchy.

The Role of Marriage: a. In “The Canterbury Tales: The Wife of Bath’s Prologue,” marriage is portrayed as a means for the Wife to gain wealth and independence. She uses her sexuality as a tool to manipulate and control her husbands, challenging the notion of marriage as a solely procreative institution. Her experiences highlight the potential for agency and autonomy within the institution of marriage. b. In “The Thousand and One Nights,” marriage is presented as a duty and obligation for women, often arranged by male figures of authority. Women’s desires and preferences are often ignored or suppressed in favor of familial and societal expectations. The tales depict marriage as a means of maintaining social order rather than a vehicle for personal fulfillment.

Power Dynamics: a. In “The Wife of Bath’s Prologue,” the Wife asserts her power and dominance over men by using her sexuality and cunning. Through her multiple marriages, she challenges the traditionally male-held power and subverts patriarchal control. Her character represents a rebellion against the male-dominated society of medieval England (British Library, n.d.). b. In “The Thousand and One Nights,” power dynamics are predominantly skewed in favor of men. Male characters hold positions of authority and control over women, often exerting their dominance through marriage and sexual relations. The tales seldom depict women with agency or the ability to challenge these power structures.

Conclusion

In conclusion, “The Canterbury Tales: The Wife of Bath’s Prologue” and “The Thousand and One Nights” offer contrasting perspectives on gender roles and expectations in their respective societies (Quang, 2016). While both works present strong female characters who challenge conventional norms, they differ in terms of societal expectations, the role of marriage, and power dynamics. The Wife of Bath embodies a feminist spirit and challenges patriarchal authority, while the female characters in “The Thousand and One Nights” are often subject to male dominance and societal constraints. Through a comparative analysis of these texts, we gain valuable insights into the complexities of gender representation in medieval societies across different geographical regions.

References

British Library. (n.d.). The British Library. https://www.bl.uk/medieval-literature/articles/female-soveraynetee-in-chaucers-the-wife-of-baths-prologue-and-tale 

Quang, T. T. (2016). The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations. www.academia.edu. https://www.academia.edu/23009168/The_Oxford_Dictionary_of_Quotations 

Tinkle. (2010). Contested Authority: Jerome and the Wife of Bath on 1 Timothy 2. The Chaucer Review, 44(3), 268. https://doi.org/10.5325/chaucerrev.44.3.0268