Here are three argumentative essay prompts suitable for a 9-paragraph essay that explore how Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass and Jordan Peele’s Get Out use the concept of the Sunken Place—whether literal or metaphorical—to reveal how racism dehumanizes, and how resistance can lead to liberation and agency.
Prompt 1: The Fight to Reclaim the Self
Essay Prompt:
Both Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass and Get Out explore how slavery and racism rob people of their autonomy and identity, trapping them in a psychological “Sunken Place.” Write an argumentative essay analyzing how Douglass and Chris struggle to reclaim their personhood. Whose escape from the Sunken Place carries a more powerful message for modern audiences, and why?
Key Themes to Consider:
- Psychological captivity and dehumanization
- Literacy and perception as tools of resistance
- Voice vs. voicelessness
- Breaking free—literal and symbolic escapes
Prompt 2: Racism as Psychological Warfare
Essay Prompt:
Jordan Peele’s Get Out introduces the Sunken Place as a metaphor for the paralyzing effects of racism. Frederick Douglass’s memoir reveals how slavery functioned similarly—as a system designed to psychologically disarm and silence Black people. Write a 9-paragraph essay comparing how each text shows racism operating not just physically, but psychologically, and argue which representation is more effective in showing the true depth of racial oppression.
Key Themes to Consider:
- Mind control and learned helplessness
- Surveillance, control, and social “hypnosis”
- The role of silence and invisibility
- Liberation through consciousness and rebellion
Prompt 3: Resistance as a Path Out of the Sunken Place
Essay Prompt:
In both Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass and Get Out, the protagonists face overwhelming systems of control—but both find ways to resist. Write an argumentative essay analyzing how Douglass and Chris resist oppression and reclaim power. Which character’s resistance offers a more effective model for overcoming systemic injustice today?
Key Themes to Consider:
- Subversion, deception, and rebellion
- Education vs. survival instinct
- Heroism and moral courage
- The journey from victimhood to agency
Here are three argumentative essay prompts designed for a 9-paragraph essay that compares themes in Malcolm X (1992) and Black Panther (2018). Each prompt invites students to explore how the two films depict Black identity, resistance, and leadership while allowing room for critical thinking, comparison, and rebuttal:
Prompt 1: Heroism and Resistance
Essay Prompt:
Both Malcolm X and Black Panther present Black protagonists who wrestle with systems of oppression and redefine what it means to be a hero. Write an argumentative essay comparing how Malcolm X and T’Challa evolve in their views on resistance and justice. Which film presents a more compelling vision of heroism in the face of racial oppression?
Guiding Themes:
- Radical vs. diplomatic resistance
- Personal transformation as political awakening
- The burden and responsibility of leadership
- Sacrifice and moral complexity in defining heroism
Cinemorphosis 
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