For this essay, you will develop and defend an argumentative thesis about Kingsley Amis’ Lucky Jim using evidence from the novel itself and at least three secondary sources of the six I have provided (which are available under the “readings” tab). In essence, this essay requires you to build upon the close reading skills you developed in writing Essay Two while adding in another skill: the ability to respond to and integrate arguments from secondary sources. In order to get an A on this essay, you must persuade your reader (functionally, me) of an interesting, surprising and argumentative thesis; you must offer at least one close reading (and generally be mindful of how you are using evidence); and you must engage with at least three (no more than four) of the offered secondary texts in such a way that demonstrates a careful reading of those texts and an active engagement with the key ideas and arguments those texts propose. Be wary that you do not repeat the arguments of any of the secondary sources, instead building on their work to present your own ideas.

Suggested Topics: 

• How does Lucky Jim as a novel critique the larger systems surrounding the narrator (e.g. England, the university, the art world)?
• Evaluate one of Jim’s key failures. What implicit rule is he breaking, and why is the existence of that rule important to an understanding of the text?
• How does Jim Dixon relate to the women in his life (e.g. Margaret, Christine, Carol, Mrs. Welch)? His peers? His superiors? (To be clear, there are three essay topics here; each one of these questions would provide enough fodder for one essay.)
• What does his relationship with Margaret demonstrate about his decision-making abilities?
• How does Dixon’s changing relationship with his two key love interests reflect his personal growth and /or self-confidence?
• (Irony) (Happy ending) (Faces,  physical comedy) (Boredom)
• Is he lucky? Was Jim’s job opportunity at the end of the novel due to luck or due to his actions throughout the novel? Are the things that happen to him due to fate/luck (or unluckiness) or his own actions?
• How does Jim use humor to cover his mistakes?
• How are woman qua women (or men qua men) portrayed in the novel? How are gender roles portrayed and/or toyed with in the novel?
• Analyze Jim’s hatred of any particular character.
• What does the fact that Jim is constantly bored tell us about him?
• How does Jim use failures, stupidities, whatever to opt out of social systems he doesn’t like?