For this paper, you will be writing on The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende. You will be applying one of the critical theories we discuss in class to the novel OR closely examining an element of the story. You must include MLA formatted in-text citation and a works cited page.
Choose one of the following topics for your paper:
Apply a literary lens. Choose one of the three critical theories discussed in class (feminism, Marxism, or psychoanalysis) and apply it to the novel. Explore how the theory changes the meaning or reveals new truths. How does applying that lens to the text enrich our understanding of the story and society?
Identify and discuss the theme of The House of the Spirits. What is it? How do you know? Provide ample evidence to support your claim.
Perform a character analysis on one of the characters. Dive deep into how the character evolves (or doesn’t) through the course of the text. Be sure to craft this as an argument!
Explore a symbol. How does that symbol impact our understanding of the text? Why is it important?
Sample Solution