Prompt On The Mind

AP English Literature 2004 Responses
Question 3
   
Sample 1:
          From the first sentence this student had me. Captured. From there the writer introduced his/her thesis statement analyzing Candide and the significance of the young Candide on his quest  to answer the question "Is this the best of all possible worlds?" He/she accomplishes the task of providing details and a sense of the plot for those readers who are unaware of the literary work. This writer includes questions to consider, "Why would God create a world that is not the best possible?" and then works to support the question with an answer through the actions that the character Candide pursues as he tries to determine if such a perfect world exists. Organization and transitions flow smoothly through this well written essay as the writer progresses through Candide's journey to El Dorado and later to his love Lady Conagal, noting expertly the changes Candide undergoes in both situations. The first body paragraph consists in summary form followed by a second well thought out analysis of the question. The writer seems to have grasped the meaning of the question and argues Candide's final answer to the question "we must tend our garden" with his/her own interpretation(of Candide's response) that those who want the best possible world must strive/work together to achieve the ultimate Utopia.  

Sample 2:
         The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and the question "What does it mean to be free?" Yes, what does it mean? Enlighten me...or try to. I'm not even sure this student  knows for sure if there is  an exact answer.You would think the definition would be as simple as freedom: having no chains/restrictions(voices, laws, nature, etc) holding you back. You are free to be. But,  there has to be a limit, life is so cliche in its saying that life is not fair, that I am not surprised that this student concluded that freedom is freeing and limiting in his/her argument. In this essay, the  student writer analyzes Mark Twain's consideration of this question in light of how slavery and civilization affect Huck and Jim. He/she compares the two characters and remarks on how they are similarly restricted in some way, by the color of one's skin(Jim) and relationship with a parental figure(Huck). Together they break down barriers and establish a bond that goes beyond what society would dictate and are free in their relationship together. The writer unfortunately tells this, and is not very specific/detailed in providing support. Also, noted when the writer later  indicates that in society Huck and Finn must remain apart because of their skin differences even after their masters die(Jim's owner, Huck's dad). In ending in this way, the writer weakly concludes that freedom is limiting. How do we make it so it is not limiting? Is there no hope?

Sample 3:
       A short essay indeed. This student attempts to analyze the question "Does anything ever stay the same?" in Chineau Achebe's Thing's Fall Apart but he/she leaves an unsupported and unorganized/unfinished essay arguing the role of the character Okonkwo in his determination to maintain order within his village.The introductory paragraph is messy and quite confusing with all the ideas within it battling for center stage. The first and only body paragraph  focuses on how certain events work to bring the story to a resolution. I get the sense that the paragraph is arguing that ideas and society will change over time no matter how one attempts to prevent the change. Cultures will change and traditions will evolve. But, I shouldn't need  to get the sense of that. I would have preferred to have seen evidence to back this student's analysis of the question "Does anything ever stay the same?" The question alone is able to be answered in my mind with one word .Yes. This student's essay failed to be profound. No insight at all. Overall, it is a very vague and sad attempt. I don't even want to say  it's an attempt.