Write a working thesis for your paper. Remember, it should compare two works by the same author- you may examine theme, style, or both. Read a few of your peers' statments and make constructive suggestions. Saying "good work" is kind but not helpful. Remember to sign your name to your thesis statement and your comments.
Alice Walker incooperates the theme of oprresion towards women and the womens movement towards equality. She does this by creating oprressive male characters, strong female characters who fight for equality and vivid descriptions of the horrible crimes committed against women to convey the significance of the opression and how it affects them.
ReplyDeleteThis is really good, just watch your spelling errors; it's spelled oppression. :) & maybe add "[providing] vivid descriptions" (?)
Delete-Gayatri
It's a bit wordy: Let's try moving some things around...Alice Walker lays bare the connection between women's oppression and the rise of the womens movement --maybe give a date? during the....by villifying? men and put in a strong verb here- strong female characters who fight for equality
Delete-- I may be misinterpreting, but are you saying that Walker is arguing that the women's movement wouldn't have been possible without women's oppression? It's an interesting idea. Or, are you really wanting to talk about characterization and imagery? Is she saying all men are bad? These are some of the questions that I have. The answers to them may help clarify your thesis. If I've misunderstood, shoot me an email or blog again.
John Irving's whimsical yet allusive novels all similarly manifest the precedence of strong family relationships by reiterating themes, symbols or character types such as animals, the absence of a parent, and deadly accidents.
ReplyDelete-Gayatri Kasi
Really descriptive and provides lots of info! Only thing I would suggest is revising the tiny last section of the thesis where it says "symbols or character types such as..." . It sounds like you are trying to say that deadly accidents are a character type, which is probably not your intention :) just a little re-wording is all it needs. good word choice too!
Delete~Shayna
I concur. I'm also wondering if you can get more specific about the precedence of strong family relationships...what about the precedence? Is he saying they are necessary? What happens when you don't have strong relationships? The "so what?" about the relationships is missing.
DeleteI love "whimsical yet allusive novels"-- it's lyrical.
In "Native Son" and "A Father's Law," both critically acclaimed pieces of literary work that came to fruition courtesy of African-American author Richard Wright, contain the theme of psychological warfare, and go in to depth about how this second-nature habit plays a hefty role in the way societal and ethnic tensions are handled.By using his own experiences as a black man in a vagarious world, Wright uses his main characters as conduits for a flood of hidden resentment and stifling agony felt by minorities.
ReplyDelete~Shayna S.
Watch your wording in the first half, the grammar is off and it's a bit confusing. The second half is very good.
DeleteJosh Telepman
It does feel a bit like you're trying to fit an intro into your thesis:)Actually, you did write the second half of an intro. The last bit is your thesis...which is basically saying he's a spokesperson for his time. The psychological warfare as habit at first confused me, but you're saying that the characters play mind games with others because that is the only way to survive, right? If not, you may want to consider clarifying that part. If you had a whole intro, I would feel clearer about where you are headed. Will you be organizing by character, by resentments, the way black men or others handle tensions? or something else? It is an excellent start.
DeleteIn both Travels with Charley and Cannery Row, John Steinbeck uses realistic descriptives and language in order to make the story and characters seem tangible and familiar to the reader, and to make the events feel like ones the reader has experienced.
ReplyDeleteJosh Telepman
What I'm wondering is why it is good for us to feel like we have experienced his experience? Is it special because we couldn't possibly have shared similar experiences or because he's trying to build a community, a sense of what it means to be American? I'm wondering what your topics will look like- I'm concerned about the depth of analysis this topic will allow. Chat with me about this, or email me the thesis with topic sentences if you'd like more feedback before you start drafting.
DeleteThis is more of a personal preference, but anytime I see the word "story" in a thesis, it feels less sophisitcated. This is a pesky comment, but one I thought worth sharing. Ultimately, it's your choice.
In The Sun Also Rises and The Old Man and the Sea, Hemingway uses the themes of success, man’s interaction with nature, and someone’s pride or manhood in making his books parallel, but to also put a unique twist on each book and taking each in a different direction while still keeping some underlying themes constant.
ReplyDeleteIan Stetkiewicz
IAN HI
DeleteI really really like your thesis! ..but you may want to break it up into 2 sentences? I don't know, it seems kinda long with different ideas opposing each other and such.....
xoxox Marissa Hom
Ian, it is a bit circular....you're saying they're the same but different but the same. So....stick with the similarities and add why they are significant- why does he keep coming back to these themes. Once you get that in y our thesis, you'll be able to analyze the themes more deeply. Good job identifying the themes....
DeleteThe novels "Talk Talk" and "the Tortilla Curtain" by T.C. Boyle are similar based on their themes of the human need for innocence, the want of a better life, and the use of deep description that creates a closer connection for the readers to the characters and plots.
ReplyDeleteAmy Barton
it's a good start amy! i think you should make it flow a little better by not just listing, and make more of an argument rather than just "are similar based on their themes..."
Deleteyou rock
- David
I agree with David about the listing...They both contain these themes because....Getting the why in there allows you to make a claim about why he keeps coming back to these ideas. Consider changing the adjective for description- what do you mean by "deep"? If you get the why in the thesis you may not need the part about creating a closer connection to readers. This part of the thesis will be fairly concrete, and you want to have an argument that can be based on evidence, not on the assumption that all his readers can relate. Good job making connections!
DeleteRay Bradbury uses the themes of censorship, corruption, and war in his novels Fahrenheit 451 and The Martian Chronicles to illustrate his pessimistic view of society's progression.
ReplyDeleteMitchell Klokman
Make sure you italicize the titles and maybe try expanding more on how he writes in a pessimistic tone (style,symbolism, plot etc.) but great work!
DeletePaige
Paige gives an interesting suggestion. I'm wondering if you add this to your thesis, if there's a way to do it without getting a list. You may find that what you have is sufficient and your work in the stylistic elements that give rise to his pessimistic tone with the body paragraphs. However, if you find yourself writing topic sentences that specifically attiribute stylistic elements to the development of theme, they should be highlighted in your thesis. You could also have a two sentence thesis to avoid "the list". Nice work.
DeleteVladimir Nabokov uses unique, unconventional writing style in his novels "Lolita" and "Transparent Things" to empathize the romantic ventures, personalities, and perspectives of the main characters, Humbert Humbert and Hugh Person, as they go through their lives.
ReplyDeleteHi Tommy! I think you mean emphasize. I love this thesis, it's concise without feeling like a list. The "as they go through their lives" bit is one you may want to consider revising. I like it, but then it feels less sophisticated....I can't decide. I guess you'll have to!
DeleteIn both "Lost Memory of Skin" and "The Sweet Hereafter", Russell Banks uses themes of sexual misconduct, lengthy sentences, and description of the law to comment on contemporary issues in society.
ReplyDeleteRemember to place the comma within the quote, not after it. Also, maybe try introducing the themes that both your novels share in a more fashionable way rather than just plainly stating "uses themes..." Other than that it sounds really interesting! Great work so far!
DeleteCrystal M
I think you have everything you need here, but not necessarily in the best order. You list a theme and then some stylisic elements and say that both comment on modern issues. Can style make a comment? Do you want to say that his lengthy sentences and imagery deepen his commentary on sexual misconduct, or maybe something else? Please revise and email me your thoughts.
DeleteIn the novels In Cold Blood and Breakfast at Tiffanys, Truman Capote's usage of story telling is exemplified in both pieces of literature, one fiction and one non-fiction, utilizing mystery and intimacy to present a story to his audience.
ReplyDeleteRemember to place the title of your novels in italics!!!
Delete-Crystal Molloy
xoxo
Or quotes on here because italics isn't an option...
Delete:( tear!!
In the novels In Cold Blood and Breakfast at Tiffanys, Truman Capote's usage of story telling is exemplified in both pieces of literature, one fiction and one non-fiction, utilizing mystery and intimacy to present a story to his audience.
Delete- you use usage and utilizing...feels wordy. He uses mystery and intimacy to do what? It's more than just tell a story, right? What's his purpose? Can you get at that? Or maybe focus on specific devices/skills of story telling? This is a strong start.
Flannery O'Conner's use of imagery, symbolism, and regionalism in her short novels Wise Blood and The Violent Bear It Away conveys humanity’s internal struggle with God and illustrates the rejection of God only leads to tragedy.
ReplyDeletePaige
It sounds like you have a really good start Paige! One thing I'm wondering though is is there is significance to her novels being short. Does this add anything to the conveyance of her themes? And one grammatical note:I would add the word "that" after "illustrates."
DeleteKatie
I don't think O'Conner can use regionalism, but maybe picks up on the themes of the movement? I'm wondering what the topic sentence might look like dealing with that- perhaps it's something you can examine throughout the piece. Also, I would say "how" after illustrates might help clarify the sentence. If you're not sure how to work in regionalism, you may not need it. It looks like you've got a sizeable thesis.
DeleteIn Ken Kesey's two novels, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Sometimes a Great Notion, Kesey focuses on a group of individuals that are pressured negatively by society; both novels exemplify the importance of fighting to change the system when it is wrong.
ReplyDeleteI like this topic, but I'm wondering what your topic sentences will look like. I'm concerned that the "so what?" might be missing. Are their similar stylstic elements which augment the importance of fighting? I think you might also want to consider changing the verb fighting and the word "wrong." The sentece is direct, but it feels blunt. Is this intentional? If it is, that's great! If it's not, you may want to play with diction.
DeleteIn both "The Bluest Eye" and "Song of Solomon" by Toni Morrison, a reoccurring fixation is that of the effect of the community on an individual's achievement and of the acceptance of one’s self. While indulging in this subject, Morrison depicts continuously on legends and fables as a blueprint for the story plot; frequently revisiting the premise of expedition as an inspiring device for that of the characters in her novels.
ReplyDeleteCrystal M
Crystal, Thank you for giving feedback to your peers! It's a shame you didn't get any! I love the word indulging in this sentence- also, blueprint. It is eloquent. So, you will be talking about legends and fables as inspiration, but also on the themes you've mentioned. I'm having trouble making the connection. Do the legends and fables echo the same effects of community on achievement and acceptance? There needs to be a clearer link. The language sounds sophisticated!
DeleteAlthough, "Gertrude and Claudius" and "The Witches of Eastwick," by John Updike are written in two completely different time periods,Updike's style remains unchanged. His use of unique prose writing style, extremely descriptive passages, and themes of human nature are uniform through most if not all of Updike's works.
ReplyDeleteTroy T
I like it! Is it too presumptuous to say the style and themes are unfiorm thorug most if not all of his works? Unless you're going to reference a good number of his works, I would not make that statement. By descriptive passages do you mean imagery? I would also get a bit more specific on what the theme(s) of human nature are? The question why does he do this comes to mind. If you can get that in there, I think you'll be able to analysis the text more deeply than just pointing out a theme. Excellent start!
DeleteNorman Mailer is a renown writer and journalist who dared to go beyond the social norms of his era and address the topics that were uncommon- sex, drugs, violence. In his two novels, "The Deer Park" and "Good Guys Don't Dance", Mailer writes about serious topics with subliminal messages that are hidden underneath.
ReplyDeleteMarissa Hom
HAHA ooops my bad I meant "Tought Guys Don't Dance" sorry sorry I'm embarassed
DeleteYou are funny! Don't be sorry! This happens all the time. That's why it's a draft! Use an "and" before violence. So the topics weren't really uncommon, right? They were just taboo? How does he write subliminally? By doing this, is he making a statment about the ridiculousness? Is he writing about things that are still taboo (I'm not sure that's possible, but just in case!). Why do you think he's going beyond the social norms? If you can get the why into your thesis, you'll be able to deepend your analysis! Great start!
Deletehey marissa its "Tough" not "Tought"...
DeleteIn her novels "O Pioneers!" and "My Antonia" Willa Cather creates the strong, independent, and proud female characters of Alexandra and Antonia. This style of characterizing women, which was unconventional for Cather's time when women were considered subordinate to men, shows Cather's strong belief in feminism and women's rights.
ReplyDelete~Katie C
Hi Katie! Are feminism and women's rights different? If so, you may want to clarify. If not, pick one. I'm so curoius to know how you will apprach this topic. Will you be looking at their actions, or will you be able to examine the inner workings of their minds? Is their going to be any moments of doubt or concer that you'll need to contend with? If not, I would want to make sure that you consider an opposing argument- that she makes them unbelievable because of their strength...I would also consider researching this. Excellent start.
DeleteIn the books "Flight" and "The Absolute True Diary of a Part Time Indian", Sherman Alexie reveals how racism is prevalent throughout America, regardless of class, and stereotypical people can be. He also touches upon the fact that people only act in reaction to their environments
ReplyDelete- Adam
Hi Adam! You are missing a word before sterotypical I think. Can you work your sentence sentence into the first, so it doesn't feel like just an afterthought? I think we also talked about how regardless of ethnicity, all people have the potential to be racisit. Is that what you were trying to get at with the "sterotypical people can be" bit? When you say people only act in reaction to their enviornments, does that excuse racism? Where are you going with this part? Revise one more time and email me. I think this is going to be a great essay!
DeleteBrian Carens
ReplyDeletePhilip K Dick is a writer that writes aboout science fiction events he uses great characterization and realistic events to make his stories connectable and realistic. When i first read Do Androids dream of electric sheep i immediately connected it to the Matrix which is a scary realistic science fiction story. In the man in the high castle my other book by Dick it is a story about what if the Axis won WWII and that is an amazing idea i just find he doesnt go into enough detail wiht the story
Tim O'Brien uses his novels "The Things They Carried" and "In the Lake of the Woods" to give insight to his past experiences during the Vietnam War and how trauma can dramatically affect people in different ways by invoking sympathy and at times a sense of worry in the reader.
ReplyDeleteJack McD.
In the books "A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius" and "What is the What" by Dave Eggers, there is a change in narrator that changes the impact of Eggers writing style on the reader.
ReplyDelete^^Zamilton
DeleteBernard Malamud’s focus on characterization, human morality, and “happiness through suffering” in both The Assistant and The Natural allow him to demonstrate the natural “good” and “evil” in his characters and how their actions are a message to society’s uncertain choices and morals and how all people should venture through life.
ReplyDeleteTRey Tag