Question about if it is not recommended to argue an idea that isn't very dominant in a book.

Hello. I joined since I'm in desperate need of advice.

I am doing a comparative essay on two novels.

Firstly, I'd actually quickly like to ask if this is an acceptable thesis (not final yet) - Internal pursuits and external concerns can cause moral conflict. It should be arguable, right? And most of all, is this a very lame idea? Could it be improved in any manner?

Secondly, 'isn't very dominant' is probably an understatement. The idea I'm arguing (of which 600 words will need to be written on it), is only present in the very first chapter of the book.

I'll probably struggle to write it a lot (I will have to exaggerate my analysis), but I'm wondering if I should change it? Will I get in trouble if the idea is not prominent - will the teacher mark me down?

The teacher most likely will not have read any of the books we are doing. But still, there are a lot of other students in my grade doing this book and so she might be inclined to check the book out or get confused over what I've written.

I really want to hold onto this idea if I can, because I don't really have any other options and I'm out of time... This idea also works well for my other book. - but perhaps it really will impact the quality of my essay if I'm stretching only about 15 pages or so over 600 words. Maybe I'll have to find a way to change my thesis slightly?

Thank you very much!

Jennie, if you want to be able to write a 3 page essay on a book topic that is only in the first half of the story, you will find yourself pressed for a way to achieve the 600 word requirement, even if it is something that can be found in both books. The only way you can effectively write a comparative essay on those 2 novels will be to find the predominant discussion that exists throughout both books. It would be best for you to focus on the overall theme of both books, assuming that these are similar as the dominant topic. Delve on the differences in development of the theme, but the common resolution that is achieved by the characters in the end. Arguing these topics using a compare and contrast argument should be helpful in your achieving the required word count. Just make sure that you choose a continuing idea or theme to argue, not something that is only in the first 15 pages of one book. That will make writing the essay very difficult and the word count almost unattainable.

@Holt Thank you for that input. Yeah, I think so too. I guess I've ruined myself with the two novels I chose, but it's too late to change now. I've got to stick it out.

I'm wondering, would it be possible to do structure as a thesis? Basically how it shapes audience response to ideas within the text. That was the thesis the teacher told me to do when we had our interview, but I honestly have no idea how I'm supposed to do an essay arguing audience response.

If not, would something like "the most devastating confrontation in life is the truth" work as a thesis? I need three separate points underneath it though, I'm not sure exactly how to achieve that. I'll try tweaking it a bit.

Is there any way ^^ I can relate that to our identity and our place in society?

Sorry for asking you more questions, but it would be amazing if you could offer me some more input^^ I only have about a week left to write my essay. Thank you again!