Cyrano de Bergerac: Essay Topic
Carefully read the final passage from Cyrano de Bergerac
and analyze its meaning in the context of the play as a whole. Analyze
the passage specifically and then step back to discuss its importance to the
play as a whole.
1. Analyze the final passage of the play
(194-195). Use the following questions to help you focus your essay.
What does Cyrano’s final speech reveal about his character? Why won’t
Cyrano give up and die peacefully? What is the symbolism of the white
plume? What does the final line of the play signify? What has Cyrano
achieved by the end of the play? Has his life been in vain? Why does
Rostand end his play with this passage? Use specific lines from the
passage to support your points and be sure to analyze the passage in
the context of the play as a whole.
Make an outline to use on the final exam. Write out your thesis statement, decide the topic for each body paragraph, find your quotations. Print this out on Friday so that you have it ready to go for the exam on Monday.