The test consists of you writing one essay response to the following themes.  As you will see, the themes are broad, so a big part of your response involves you creating a clear, specific thesis about the theme you have chosen.   I would like you to discuss the theme and pursue the thesis in relation to two of the works that we have discussed in class.  And so, I would like you to discuss two to three texts for the essay.  I would like one of these texts to be Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya.  As we did more than one work by Tolstoy, your range is a bit more open in regards to what you can choose from him.  Your essay should be approximately 1,500 words.    Here are the themes:   Power and Powerlessness The Corruption of Society Political vs. Artistic Commitment The Real and the Unreal The Supernatural Love and Hatred Love and the Abuse of Love Life and Death The Role of Class The Family Morality and Immorality Mortality and Immortality Belief and Nihilism Justice and Injustice Literature and History City vs. Country Nostalgia   For example, you might look at the theme of nostalgia in “Oblomov’s Dream” and in “The Death of Ivan Ilyich” or you might look at the nature of love in Turgenev and Chekhov, etc.  Some of these responses will inevitably be compare and contrast in structure; when it comes to such essays, structure your paper in terms of ideas instead of discussing one work for half the essay and another work for the other half. As with your previous essays, you must use proper essay structure:  a clear introductory paragraph that closes with a specific, strong thesis; paragraphs organized around topics that support your thesis and that are structured in a clear, logical way; a sense of transition from point to point; evidence from the text that supports your thesis and/or supporting points; and, finally, a strong conclusion.