The first portion of British Literature I is tasked with providing the beginnings of English literature as we know
them. Beginning with “Caedmon’s Hymn” and closing with The Canterbury Tales, we have a vast swath of
material to critically investigate. For this paper, you will be asked to look to the material we have covered thus
far (“Caedmon’s Hymn,” “The Dream of the Rood,” “The Wanderer,” Beowulf, Morte D’ Arthur, and The
Canterbury Tales) and argue one particular image, theme, character trait, etc. that emerges throughout the
surveyed texts and discuss what that item communicates or represents about this first part of the survey.
This paper will be thesis-driven and will point to one particular human facet traceable throughout all of the
materials. You will be required to touch on each of the poems/short tales we have covered in some fashion in
order to demonstrate that the idea, theme, etc. is clearly traceable throughout all of the material. Answer the
question: what holds these materials together? What aspect of the human condition do these materials
highlight? For instance, if the character in “The Wander” is representative of a larger theme of desolation and
disconnection, how is this character and his lamentations traceable throughout the remainder of the texts we
have encountered thusfar.
You may use the weekly reflection papers as a guide to help shape your argument, but you will be required to
expand on those ideas, deepen them so as to demonstrate your grasp on this portion of the class. You will also
be asked to complete some outside research for this paper (at least four additional sources) and will be
expected to quote directly from both primary and secondary sources.
Requirements:
-MLA Formatting for in-text citations, Works Cited Page, and body of the paper (12-pt, Times New Roman
Font)
-Three to four pages in length (not including Works Cited)
-At least four critical sources cited
-Thesis-driven and supported by both outside research and also material from the literature we have covered
(i.e. direct quotes from the readings)
-Clear introduction and conclusion
Sample Solution