Final Essay Assignment
May 4th, 2019 by amcadams
“The Sad Tale of the Novice Monk”
The novice monk, Alyosha Karamazov, is devastated by his brother’s horrifying rant about the evil lurking within the human soul. Worse still, he is despondent over Ivan’s powerful challenge to his faith. How could a merciful God allow for such horror? For that matter, why should one worship a God who shows such indifference? Alyosha cries out: “Oh, humankind. Is there no room left for hope that we human beings might still treat each with decency and goodness!”
Wracked by a momentary loss of faith in his Creator, Alyosha returns to his cell. There, he is surprised to find three articles about hope on his desk by Kelly Baker, Roy Scranton, and Samuel Scheffler. Alyosha shoves his Bible into the bottom drawer and slowly begins to read each of these pieces.
Which one of these three writers will persuade Alyosha that a hopeful perspective on the human condition is still possible?
Please respond to this question in a typed, double-spaced essay of no more than six (6) pages. To ensure that Alyosha is not confused, you may only choose one writer. However, if you wish, feel free to choose another reading—an article or a book–from our course that in your view makes an even more persuasive argument. In this case, you should drop one of the above articles. Thus, you will still end up with three writers. Note: if you choose an additional writer, you must defend that writer’s position.
In formulating your argument, please keep the following issues in mind: 1) Since Alyosha has suspended his faith, you may not use religious faith to make the case for hope; 2) Address the arguments and counterarguments of each of your writers directly; and in doing so, 3) Make sure you characterize all of these arguments correctly. Make sure your paper has a title and that you have put your name on it.
Please adhere to the following rules. If you fail to do so, I am afraid I won’t be able to read your paper. 1) Your document name MUST take the following form: [yourlastname].final.essay. 2) You MUST submit your essay as a WORD document. No other format will work. NO PDF! If you have any doubts about whether you are submitting it in WORD, test it beforehand and/or ask for a friend’s help. Please re-read these rules carefully.
A couple grammatical notes. There is an important difference between “on the one hand…on the other hand” and “in contrast.” The former implies different ways of looking at one thing; the latter implies a contrast between two or more things. Also, if you use “on the other hand,” there must be a corresponding “on the one hand.” By adhering to these rules, you will make your future professors quite happy!
The Honor Code to which you have affixed your signature applies! Since this is your final essay, please do not discuss it with your classmates. Your essay and argument must be absolutely, completely, and unmistakably your own work.
As always, I recommend that you begin writing and re-writing this essay immediately. Naturally, my expectations are not unreasonable. I simply request that you compose the best pages of prose that you have ever written in your life.
Please submit your essay to the document file entitled “Final Essay Assignment” on our Sakai page. The final due date is this Friday, May 10, by 10:00. Naturally, please feel free to submit your essay earlier. The Registrar has given me a ridiculously short window before I am required to submit grades. If you would like me to provide you with detailed comments on your essay, just let me know.
Again, it has been a pleasure working with you. I hope I will see more of you down the road.
Good luck!
AJM