The student lists several textual features and authorial choices from the work in the essay, effectively identifying elements such as diction, tone, symbolism, and foreshadowing. The analysis is convincing and insightful, particularly in discussing the symbolism of birds in Santiago's dreams, which reflects cultural ideas about freedom and death. However, the student needs to strengthen the link between their analysis and the thesis statement, particularly regarding how specific imagery illustrates societal pressures contributing to Santiago's victimization. Overall, the student's interpretations are appropriate and convincingly evaluated, showing a clear understanding of how these elements convey the chosen topic and support the thesis.
