Editor's Choice
Is my thesis statement about symbolism in Kate Chopin's The Awakening well-thought out?
In the course of her novel The Awakening, Kate Chopin sets out two significant symbols that are the birds and the sea, which emphasizes Edna Pontellier’s new life.
Quick answer:
Your thesis statement is adequately directed, indicating a focus on the symbolism of birds and the sea in emphasizing Edna Pontellier's new life. However, it could be refined for conciseness. Consider a revision like: "Although The Awakening is rich in symbolism, the birds and the sea are most significant for their link to Edna Pontellier's new life." This version broadens the scope slightly, allowing for a more comprehensive discussion of symbols.
In terms of direction, the thesis statement that you have written is quite adequate. It provides ample direction to your reader about what you intend to write about and prove. You will focus on two symbols, and those symbols are significant because they emphasize Edna Pontellier’s new life. Regarding this particular statement's cohesive flow, it could use a little bit of work. In my opinion, it's just a little too "wordy," but it would not be much work to tighten it up a bit, perhaps into something like the following thesis statement.
Although The Awakening is full symbolism, the birds and the sea are the most significant because of their link to Edna Pontellier's new life.
That particular thesis is actually a little bit broader than your initial thesis. It allows you to discuss more symbols in addition to the birds and the sea. This allows you to provide evidence to your reader that highlights why the birds and the sea are so much more important to the character's new life than other symbols.
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