Comparing literature times

For your first formal assignment this semester, construct an essay of 800-1000 words that satisfies the following requirements:
References a literary text that we€â€žÂ¢ve discussed in class already;
Avoids a text that you have used in your own group presentation;
Links that text to something in contemporary American culture (an event, debate, policy, etc.);
Demonstrates broad research (mass media and academic sources) citation (at least 5 sources);
Focuses tightly on a specific conversation, scene, description in the the literary text;
Argues for the significance of that literary moment on life today in the U.S.;
Contributes valuable, creative, sophisticated insight;
Utilizes a clear thesis statement in the first paragraph;
Demonstrates careful attention to college writing conventions;
Experiments, in some way, with the form of conventional, text-based writing;
Abides by MLA citation guidelines (see the Purdue OWL for help and/or talk to me).
Essays will be assessed using the following criteria on a 30 point scale:
Content and ideas (including research gathered and thesis), 10pts
Organization (including rhetorical style and order of ideas), 10pts
Mechanics (adhering to appropriate writing and citation conventions), 10pts
Inspiration (contribution of a new idea, form, or orientation), additional 5pts