Essay 4:

Cloud Atlas Literary Analysis

For this essay, you need to be making an argument concerning one of the recurring themes in

Cloud Atlas. There are three major themes: power, predation, and the soul. However, there are

several smaller themes that we’ve discussed throughout the semester (for example, the post-

modern questions concerning storytelling). So, choose a theme, and then make an argument

about that particular theme. That is, do not make your essay “about power;” rather, make an

argument concerning how power is represented in the text. For example, if I noticed that there

were lots of puppies in Cloud Atlas, “There are lots of puppies in Cloud Atlas” would be a

POOR working thesis. A more effective thesis might be “Mitchell frequently uses puppies in

Cloud Atlas to represent the essential nature of the man/dog relationship.” I would then proceed

to use passages from the book to support my argument, much as you were supposed to do for

your last essay. Further, I want you to trace that theme through AT LEAST FOUR of the six

stories contained in the text. So, the theme needs to be present throughout. Here are some things

to keep in mind:

Be sure to touch on the literary elements we’ve discussed in class. Talk about how

Mitchell uses character, setting, dialogue, etc, to build the theme you are arguing.

AVOID PLOT SUMMARY if you can ever help it. I DO NOT want this essay to be

heavy on plot summary; I’ve read this book several times, and don’t need to be

repeatedly told “what happens.” One short paragraph of summary is sufficient, and then

no more than one or two sentences per paragraph dealing with plot (at most!) is a good

rule of thumb.

Continually ask yourself how Mitchell has constructed the theme that you are arguing for.

The point of this assignment is to look deeply at a text. I don’t want a superficial

treatment of your theme based solely on what we’ve discussed in class, though some of

the ideas from class can be used (your reward for attending and participating in

discussions)

If you are considering one of the three main themes, ask yourself some of the following

questions:

o Power: What does Mitchell seem to be saying about power in this book? Are

there multiple paths to power? If so, what do they have in common? If not, why

not? In what way does this consideration affect the characters in the text?

o Predation: Mitchell himself has said that predation is a major theme of this text.

What does this book seem to say about predation? Are all humans, by nature,

predatory? Is it actually beneficial to transcend this impulse, or are we better off

surrendering to it?

o The Soul: What arguments does the text make concerning the soul? Why do the

“birthmark characters” reincarnate in such seemingly different ways? What kinds

of things do they have in common? What does that say about the nature of the

soul? Is Cavendish one of them? Is Ewing, or Atua? Why a comet?

o If you choose a different theme, ask yourself a variation of some of the questions

above.

4-6 pages. DON’T PROCRASTINATE. A good, close reading takes time, especially of

this magnitude.

Cite your source, MLA style.

Peer Review Draft, Dec 4

Final Draft Due: Dec 11