During the final unit of this course, we have discussed three novellas, The Picture of Dorian Gray, The

Metamorphosis, and Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde, in regard to both the “big picture” and “focused

specialization,” and it is now time for you to develop a Third Formal Essay to demonstrate the work you have done

in this unit. The topics below offer opportunities for you to embrace and develop general questions about

relationships and/or differences relevant to all three texts, two texts that you wish to pair up, as well topics

that provide the chance to discuss an idea of particular importance to a single novella that you have decided to

specialize in. Please select one of the topics below and compose a well-structured, fully developed analytical

essay that provides clear definitions of terminology and argues its points through the analysis of quotations from

relevant text(s). You may use secondary sources if you feel that they are appropriate—just make sure that you

properly cite everything that you use. It is hoped that the student will use this as an opportunity to think

creatively, to analyze passages from supporting text(s) vigorously, to organize their ideas coherently, and to explain

their positions thoroughly. Students should therefore be less concerned with the number of pages they compose or

the number of words they use, and instead use as their guide the depth of their own thought and their understanding

of the requirements of the formal essay structure.

Consider the breakdown of Natural divisions in The Picture of Dorian Gray and/or, The Metamorphosis

and/or, Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

Discuss the Depiction/Characterization of “Normal” Humanity versus Monstrosity in The Picture of

Dorian Gray and/or, The Metamorphosis, and/or Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

Compare the Depiction/Description of Spatial Relationships (setting and/or three dimensional space as a

setting for events) in The Picture of Dorian Gray and/or, The Metamorphosis and/or, Strange Case of

Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

Analyze the ways in which The Picture of Dorian Gray and/or, The Metamorphosis and/or, Strange Case

of Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde each deal with and depict alienation, aloneness, or exile.

Consider the role of diction, “word choice,” in The Picture of Dorian Gray and/or, The Metamorphosis

and/or, Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde, and discuss how these similarities/differences in diction

help to define the style of each narrative.

Discuss the interactions and dialogue between various characters in The Picture of Dorian Gray and/or,

The Metamorphosis and/or, Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Do patterns of communication help

to define these texts thematically or stylistically? Are there other layers of narrative or reported speech?

Analyze and Discuss the Theme of “Trust” in The Picture of Dorian Gray and/or, The Metamorphosis

and/or, Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

Analyze and Discuss the Theme of “Vanity” in The Picture of Dorian Gray and/or, The Metamorphosis

and/or, Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

Analyze and Discuss the Theme of “Class” in The Picture of Dorian Gray and/or, The

Metamorphosis and/or, Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

Analyze and Discuss a pattern of imagery in The Picture of Dorian Gray and/or, The Metamorphosis

and/or, Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

Analyze and Discuss the absence and/or presence of women in The Picture of Dorian Gray and/or,

The Metamorphosis and/or, Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde.