Batman and Cinderella have endured as cultural icons from the early twentieth century until today. Why? What cultural values do these characters exhibit or defy? Do such cultural values reflect your own? To what extent are cultural values informed or supported by characters like Cinderella or Batman?

Paper Assignment: Your assignment is to write a 5-6 page paper that analyzes either Batman or Cinderella in light of one thematic aspect. Possible topics might include:

•The presentation of gender in Cinderella or Batman

•The role of masked identity in Batman or Cinderella

•An analysis of the villain in Batman or Cinderella

Creative Option: In place of the above, you may write a five-page Cinderella (or Batman) story that takes place in a contemporary or futuristic society. When you have finished, write a one-page analysis of your writing process, in which you point out how your story departs thematically from traditional versions of Cinderella (or Batman).

Additional Requirements: Regardless of your topic, you must use at least two sources and turn in a Works Cited page that uses MLA guidelines. However, your own work can count as a source if you do the creative option.

The rough draft of this paper will be due on Thursday, December 1.

The final draft (along with works cited, rough draft, and partner's comments) will be due in my mailbox on Thursday, December 8.

My mailbox is located on the 6th floor of Phelps Hall, in the Comparative Literature/Germanic Studies Mailroom.

Resources: If you are interested in writing about Batman, I have compiled a page of resources and links for your benefit.

An excellent student paper about Cinderella can be found at the WRAC web site.