Humanities 110

Paper Topics | Fall 2025 | Paper 2

Due Saturday, October 11, 2:00 p.m. to your conference leader

Target length: 1,500 words

Choose one of the following topics:

1. Although the precise context and meaning of the Narmer Palette are still debated, it is clearly connected to the power of the Egyptian king. How do images of the natural world on the Palette interact with its political representation of kingship? In your analysis, explain how specific formal elements—such as spatial composition, pattern, scale, imagery, and medium—function to communicate a specific notion of pharaonic authority?

2. Kritish Rajbhandari reads “The Tale of Sinuhe” through the lens of hybridity, a concept from postcolonial studies that emphasizes the disruptive and transformative power of cultural mixing. The notion of hybridity challenges the idea that cultures are static or homogenous by presenting culture as heterogenous, blended, and continuously evolving. Does “The Tale of Sinuhe” construct cultural identity as homogenous or hybrid? Analyze the narration of one or two key moments of cultural transition or transformation in the story, such as Sinuhe’s flight into Syria, Sinuhe’s first exchange with Amunenshi, or Sinuhe’s homecoming. Where does the language provide competing evidence for homogeneity or hybridity? Based on your analysis, what does “The Tale of Sinuhe” tell us about Egyptian conceptions of self and culture?

3. Through your close reading of one of the Egyptian love poems, develop a hypothesis about the poem’s attitude toward the emotion it conveys. Analyze the ways in which specific rhetorical devices (for example, metaphor, simile, hyperbole, repetition, direct address, sensory imagery) both convey emotion and shape the tone and emotional impact of the poem.

4. How does “The Tale of the Eloquent Peasant” emphasize the role of language in upholding justice and ma'at? Consider how speech is portrayed in the tale. You may choose to analyze features such as the peasant’s word choice, visual imagery, metaphors, use of repetition, and the overall structure of the peasant’s arguments. Is his manner of speaking consistent across the tale, or does it change? Through a close analysis of the peasant’s language, consider how “The Tale of the Eloquent Peasant” as a whole conveys the power of speech in preserving ma'at.

5. Analyze the ways in which Genesis explores the limitations of human knowledge, especially when it comes to actions that have unexpected consequences. Close read one or two of these instances. Pay close attention to the narration of the episode: from whose perspective is the story told, and who knows what when?

Using generative artificial intelligence or large language models such as Chat GPT to compose all or part of your paper will be considered academic misconduct.

In addition to consulting with your conference leader, you can get help with all stages of the writing process from peer tutors at the Writing Center. You can find links to the Writing Center hours on the Drop-in Tutoring Schedule website. Extra tutoring help will be available in the week leading up to paper due dates.