Comparing literary works that share the same theme.
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Compare and contrast two literary works (short stories) that share the same theme.
Analyze the approach of the author of each work as well as the content of each piece.
How are they the same and how were they different?
How effective was the author in his or her approach to the topic of each piece?
How do you think the author of each work conveys the approach to that theme?
Feel free to provide examples as needed, but be sure to document your sources.
Sample Solution
The short stories “A Clean, Well-Lighted Place” by Ernest Hemingway and “Eveline” by James Joyce both explore the theme of personal freedom through different characters and settings. Both authors employ distinct approaches to tell their stories with Hemingway taking a more straightforward approach in his piece while Joyce opts for an internalized dialogue style as seen in his work.
In terms of content, “A Clean, Well-Lighted Place” is told from the point of view of two waiters discussing a man who visits the café every night seeking solace (Hemingway 1933). Through this discussion we learn that he is searching for comfort due to feeling trapped and alone which can be interpreted as him longing for personal freedom. Similarly, “Eveline” tells the story of young woman struggling with her home life yet she feels compelled to stay due to her sense responsibility towards her family (Joyce 1914). Here too there is a strong undercurrent about desire for freedom but ultimately it does not come to fruition as she decides against leaving at last minute.
Overall, both works examine similar themes yet each author takes an unique approach when conveying their message. While Hemingway uses simple language and direct conversations between his two main characters to communicate his ideas, Joyce writes from Eveline’s perspective allowing us insight into how torn she truly feels inside. This helps readers gain deeper understanding of feelings experienced by protagonists which only further enhances overall narrative making them compelling reads regardless of their length.
