Both Poe's "Fall of the House of Usher" (which are not discussing in class) and Hawthorne's "Rappaccini's Daughter" are classic examples of romantic fiction. In discussing this topic, use the characteristics of romantic fiction that I gave you in my background lecture and also posted on Blackboard. Write an essay in which you discuss the specific ways in which each work typifies romantic fiction, using the characteristics I've discussed as well as other characteristics that you find common to the two works.

In your introduction, name the works you'll be discussing. Also include your thesis, which is about how these two works typify romantic fiction. Also include an overview of the points you'll discuss about each work. The thesis statement (main claim) should be the last sentence in your introduction.

The body of your essay should discuss each of the stories and explain in specific detail how each is a classic example of romantic fiction by applying those specific characteristics that typify romantic fiction.

As part of your discussion, you should consider any differences that you can draw between these two examples of romantic fiction.

Conclude your essay by making a personal judgment about which work, in your opinion, better fits the definition of romantic fiction. Support your judgment with reasons.