Question

Which of the following would be a good thesis statement for a literary

analysis essay?
O
D
A. The main characters in Ethan Frome change their temperaments
drastically from the time of the flashbacks to the present.
O
B. Fate plays the trickster in Edith Wharton's tragic novel Ethan
Frome.
O
C. Edith Wharton's use of flashback and winter imagery maintains a
tone of sadness and inevitability throughout her novel Ethan
Frome.
O
D. Edith Wharton uses imagery effectively, but her characterization is
somewhat confusing.

Answer 1

A good thesis statement for a literary analysis essay is:

C. Edith Wharton's use of flashback and winter imagery maintains a tone of sadness and inevitability throughout her novel Ethan Frome.

In this thesis statement, the author is stating that Edith Wharton effectively uses two literary devices, flashback and winter imagery, to create a specific tone in her novel. The tone is characterized by feelings of sadness and inevitability. By using flashback, Wharton is able to provide insights into the past, which contributes to the overall tone of the novel. Additionally, the use of winter imagery reinforces the sense of despair and hopelessness in the story.

This thesis statement sets the direction for the rest of the essay, as it indicates that the analysis will focus on the literary techniques employed by Wharton and how they contribute to the overall tone of the novel.