The Impact of Parents on our Protagonists
ENGL 1102 Marking Rubric: Essay 1 Name: ________________________________________________________ Essay Question: ______ Introduction: ___ provides context for the thesis ___ focuses the reader’s attention on the text Thesis: ___ strong, interesting, and arguable ___ answers the question posed ___ sustained throughout the essay ___ not a simple statement of fact ___ has a “so what” Paragraphs: ___ topic and concluding sentences present, clear, and linked to thesis ___ topic sentence makes a claim ___ paragraphs are organized and transitions are smooth ___ evidence (direct quotations) from the text used to support topic sentence ___ evidence is carefully selected and integrated into the text ___ evidence is clearly interpreted and connected to claim Analysis: ___ no extensive plot summary ___ essay focuses on WHY the author’s choices matter, not WHAT those choices are ___ reading goes beyond the surface ___ meaning/worth/value of analysis is explained Conclusion: ___ a clear conclusion is present ___ conclusion satisfies the reader Mechanics and Style: ___ essay is presented in proper MLA style ___ essay is presented in a strong third-person, present tense, active voice ___ grammatical structure accurate ___ spelling and punctuation accurate ___ assignment meets length requirements ___ prose is clear, concise, and well-constructed ___ word choice is accurate and appropriate ___ essay is enjoyable to read
Children do not always reflect on their parents
At some extent, parents are able to control the children’s habits and their circumstances; however, there is only so much the circumstances can affect them that children have tendency to become what is not of their own parents. Although “Lost at Sea” and “About a Boy” appear to be very similar in context, the two protagonists demonstrate two conflicting characters, which show the significant affect of the dissimilar parents’ role in shaping their children’s ability to cope with acquaintances, ability to manage catastrophe and to acquire sense of independence......
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The Impact of Parents on our Protagonists
Parents wield a considerable influence over their children. This is reflected in literary works where children characters take on the role of protagonists. The thesis of this essay states that relationship between children and their parents shapes the way the children behave and relate with others. More often than not, children with a problematic relationship with their parents often find difficulties relating to their peers. On the other hand, children with a good parental background often have no problems getting along well with others. This essay will make reference to two texts, Lost at Sea by Brian Lee O'Malley and About a Boy by Nick Hornby.
There are several similarities and differences in the influence of parents on the protagonists in these novels. The protagonist in O'Malley's text is Marcus while Hornby presents Raleigh. Conveniently, the former is a boy while the latter is a girl. First, both protagonists lack proper parental care. Lack of parental care has a negative impact on the behavior of both protagonists. Marcus can hardly concentrate at school, and, more importantly, finds difficulties relating with his peers: “Marcus knew that he was different from other kids of his age†(Hornby, p.4). Raleigh is in a similar quandary. She knows her mother sold her soul to the devil but she just cannot bring herself to telling her friends about it. In fact, the thought of talking to anybody frightens her.
Secondly, both suffer emotional disconnect from their parents. Lack of emotional connection with their parents affects the way they relate with them. Raleigh is tormented by her missing soul however, she cannot open up to her own mother due to the emotional disconnect between them. Consequently, she feels anxious and lonely: “Maybe all these desperate clashing feelings I'm feeling are just random brain activity, maybe I'm just delusional†(O'Malley, p.64). She knows there is something wrong about her but can't bring herself to discussing it with her mother, or anyone else for that matter.
Marcus, too, is a lonely boy. He feels out of place at school and would rather keep indoors. “He was quite happy at home….†(Hornby, p.6). Though he finds peace at home, he is not free with his mother. This is because his mother puts at loggerheads with other children by constantly advising him against all the things that other boys do. Marcus cannot listen or watch what other boys watch because its rubbish according to his mother. Consequently, Marcus feels isolated from the rest of the world around him. It also affects his education as he finds school an uncomfortable place to be.
Thirdly, both parents are obsessed with their children. Marcus' mom, Fiona, keeps a close tab on him, controlling not only those he interacts with, but also his thoughts and behavior. As a result, the boy also gets interested in his mother's lif...