Sample Conclusion Paragraphs

SAMPLE 1

Topic: DEATH

The purpose of using death as a theme or motif in literature is often not to reveal the meaning of death,
but to reveal the meaning of life through contrast. In fact, by using death in literature, authors are able
to show how short and fragile life is and argue about the worthlessness and futility of an individuals life.
Shakespeares Macbeth, Achebes Things Fall Apart, Capotes In Cold Blood, and Frosts Out, Out-
along with many other works of literature all illustrate these points. The deaths of characters in these
works illustrate how their lives have been spent in vain and how upon their deaths, they were
overlooked by everyone, including their loved ones. These works and many others provide an extremely
pessimistic outlook on life, showing that all hard work in life ultimately amounts to nothing as an
individual if forgotten upon death. Perhaps the purpose of this pessimistic outlook is to lower the
expectations of what happens beyond death and to decrease the amount of fear towards the unknown
after death.

SAMPLE 2

Topic: Christ Figures

Despite the potential dangers of making incendiary remarks about religion, writers throughout
history have managed to criticize the Christian religious institution through representative figures that
resemble the most famous Christian, Jesus Christ. The implicit function off these characters is to
associate the immoral, sinful, or ill regarded with a religious figure who is often lauded as sinless. This
then challenges the ubiquitous acceptance of Christianity and the power it holds over Western society.
As Joseph Conrad, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and Ken Kesey illustrate, Christ figures are not always nice
figures. They are purposefully placed ironically to allude to the Bible, thereby delegitimizing its
unquestioning authority. Ultimately, the authors want to illustrate that all humans are flawed, even
Christ.