Exam: 2003 Free-Response Questions
Question 3: "'According to critic Northrop Frye, “Tragic heroes are so much the highest points in their human landscape that they seem the inevitable conductors of the power about them, great trees more likely to be struck by lightning than a clump of grass. Conductors may of course be instruments as well as victims of the divine lightning.' Select a novel or play in which a tragic figure functions as an instrument of the suffering of others. Then write an essay in which you explain how the suffering brought upon others by that figure contributes to the tragic vision of the work as a whole."
S T U D E N T L L L L
This sample student response analyzed The Great Gatsby in a way that was extremely elaborate and sophisticated. Not only did they explain the characterization of Jay Gatsby thoroughly but they also extended their thinking by comparing him to the downfall of The Roaring Twenties. I felt as if the initial paragraphs of the essay were quite summary heavy and even excessive at times. However, the writer did utilize most of the plot summary to further warrant their points. They are concise and accurate with their claims and in-depth use of quotes. While the sample student essay did a wonderful job of analyzing Jay Gatsby as tragic hero, they failed to mention the suffering of others comprehensively. The flow of the essay is easy to follow with impressively done transitions and an introduction with a clear statement of their ideas. The student thoughtfully explores the complexities of Jay Gatsby's character despite barely touching on the latter part of the prompt. Taking these things into account, I would give Student LLLL a score of 8.
S T U D E N T C
Immediately starting of the second sample student essay is a paraphrase and restated version of the prompt. While their introduction answered the prompt perfectly, I did not see as much elevated thinking as in the first student's essay. However, their first body paragraph was still extremely thorough in examples. It maintained consistency while following the claims of pride, ego, and sense of duty as King Lear's tragic flaw. I did find their analysis leaning on more of a simplistic side and I felt as if the paraphrasing in the second body paragraphs as redundant. I also felt as if this student had weaker warrants and failed to delve into some of the more interesting points of King Lear's vanity. Unlike the first student essay, the writer does meet all of the needs of the prompt by discussing the suffering of Gloucester. They elaborate on the tragic vision of the play as well, not only focusing on the tragic aspects of the hero. While Student C managed to do this, their general and surface insight at times would warrant them a score of 7.
S T U D E N T F F
The sample student essay begins with an extremely vague answer to the prompt and merely restates it. The essay is led in with a paragraph which is only plot summary, and I'm not even kidding. It's ONLY plot summary. When they finally begin their analysis, it is extremely superficial and barely goes beyond the surface. I'm not sure if it's more plot summary which is extremely unnecessary and excessive at this point. The student fails to mention how suffering is brought onto the other characters of the novel other than McMurphy throwing a party for the other ward patients, which makes it seem that he has brought them excitement and joy instead. It isn't until the latter parts of the essay that they mention how the character may have brought them suffering. There is no complete or elaborate analysis of the tragic vision as a whole. While Student FF has attempted to address the parts of the prompt, much of the analysis is brief and their insight is almost nonexistent. For these reasons, I would give them a score of 4.
No comments:
Post a Comment