Paris Spleen, 1869 Papers & Assignment Topics

Essay Topics/Writing Assignments

These 20 essay questions can be used as essay questions on a test, or as stand-alone essay topics for a take-home or in-class writing assignment. Students should have a full understanding of the text in order to answer these questions. They ask for a thorough analysis of the text.

1. Examine the poet's analysis of class systems in this collection of poems. What relationships between the classes does he show? How are the classes defined? What is his commentary on both the upper and lower classes?

2. Analyze the theme of pleasure in this book.

3. How is greed a motivating factor in several of these poems? What message about greed is delivered?

4. Explore the roles of women in these poems.

5. How does the poet use descriptive language in his works? What is the effect of...
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