Good Focusing Questions:
* How do the depictions of childhood in [Genre 1] and [Genre 2] reflect the cultural anxieties and values of their respective eras? (This focuses on societal context)
* In what ways do the protagonists in [Work 1] and [Work 2] experience childhood differently, and how do these differences shape their adult lives? (This focuses on character development)
* How do the genres of [Genre 1] and [Genre 2] employ specific narrative devices or tropes to portray childhood, and how do these techniques contribute to our understanding of the child's perspective? (This focuses on literary techniques)
* Do the depictions of childhood in these works suggest a romanticized or idealized view of this period, or a more realistic and challenging one? (This focuses on themes and ideologies)
* How do the authors' choices in setting, language, and symbolism influence the portrayal of childhood in each work, and what are the implications of these choices? (This focuses on stylistic analysis)
Why these are good focusing questions:
* They are specific and focused on the key elements of your essay: genre, attitude toward childhood, and comparison/contrast.
* They encourage critical thinking and analysis, prompting you to go beyond surface-level observations and delve deeper into the themes and techniques of the works.
* They provide a clear framework for organizing your essay and ensuring that you address all the necessary aspects of your argument.
Example of a specific focusing question:
* How do the depictions of childhood in Victorian Gothic novels and contemporary young adult dystopian fiction reflect different societal anxieties surrounding youth and the transition to adulthood?
This question leads to a rich discussion that can explore themes like societal control, freedom, innocence, and the pressures of growing up in different historical contexts.