Analyse the early works of feminism in literature and today's. For example, compare Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre to Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak, Talk about the way women are depicted in these novels, why they're feminist, and what message both novels are trying to give to women.
This is an amazing topic. Many people today believe in feminism so much that its getting to the point of woman over man instead of woman and man. Too many novels are using feminism to the point to where younger girls automatically think that they are better than boys, just because a book made them think that. – KayD46569 years ago
I agree with Kay on this matter, as a senior in Digital Media one point that we study is how media has shifted and how many people today make characters more for the purpose of expressing feminism rather than just making the character. Even Joss Whedon, creator of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" is still asked why he writes strong female characters to which he responds he just wrote what he believed a female character as if an instinct and not for the purpose of making a female look strong. The problem is that these days people actually TRY to make women look strong-willed, but what they are actually doing is downplaying male character to make the female character look better. The point of equality is to not "try" and make it but to see it there as if it is a part of our natural law or our instinct. Once people understand those aspects of what it truly means to be equal, it is more likely that we will see more accurate depictions of feminism like that of Jane Eyre, Little Women, and other strong-willed females without the need for a person to actual try to create one. – Kevin Mohammed9 years ago
Consider feminism from the philosophical point of view. Use existential works. Simone de Beauvoir's "The second sex" for instance. – kimletaon8 years ago
The words 'banned book' can tend to drive people away from good content. But there are many reasons why everyone should consider reading at least one book that has been challenged or banned. This article would explore the benefits of reading such books. What kinds of lessons do works such as "The Lorax" or "Go Ask Alice" have to teach us? Has some of the books on this list been falsely accused (for example the Oxford Dictionary)? In short, banned books still have a lot to offer us, and are vastly under-appreciated.
I feel that this can be very broad a topic without specifying location. Do you mean on reading lists in America? Or in Europe? Or Germany? Culture relevancy is a major reason why books are banned, and gaining an understanding of why books are banned in specific locations can help the author reach a more poignant conclusion. – Jemarc Axinto9 years ago
Agree with the above. Also, I think it's obvious that controversial literature still has 'a lot to offer us' - the discussion could perhaps to be orientated on how their banning has added to their value to make a more audacious link. – JekoJeko9 years ago
I agree with Jemarc that with such a broad topic it needs to be narrowed down some more or even give more details on multiple points to give a general feel of the article. – Kevin Mohammed9 years ago
I don't think this topic can been justice without squeezing the concept of freedom from it. Whether books are banned or not is a question of whether a society (or nation) operates under a framework of freedom which allows certain types of books to be labeled as banned. For instance, I would venture a guess that when most Americans think of banned books they associate imagery of the Nazis burning books or of communist nations destroying books deemed dissident (in which case the author too is hunted down and silenced.) However, there have been plenty of banned books in America too. Bukowski and Vonnegut for example, in the realm of fiction. And Howard Zinn in the realm of academic non-fiction. I think this topic could lead to an interesting and important conversation about how much banned books can tell us about the level of freedom which a society operates under. – mcutler19 years ago
Definitely a great topic. I would suggest researching Banned Book Week and see if the BannedBooksWeek website has any resources that would be of service to you. There were some notes on your topic being a little too general. Maybe, if you'd like, you could narrow your banned book search by grade level (i.e. Elementary, Middle Grade, High School) or, you can break it down by canon or contemporary. Or both! – Jaye Freeland9 years ago
Amen! Actually, banning a book makes a lot of people more eager to read and explore it. – Stephanie M.8 years ago
I love the Percy Jackson series. I love what it did for introducing kids to classical mythology, I love Percy and Annabeth so much as characters, and I love the cabin system of sorting kids. However, I am really interested in how Riordan took the content of classical epic (gods, battles, mythical creatures, heroics), and infused them with what is, in essence a very modern story of a misfit kid struggling to fit in and find out what he's good at. Does Riordan borrow from epics like the Odyssey or the Aeneid in terms of style or characterization, or only in providing the window-dressing for what is just any other YA tale? Specifically, I'd be interested in seeing a character comparison of Odysseus and Percy Jackson, and ways that they are similar or contrasted, whether directly or indirectly in the series.
Personally, since you brought it up, another angle would be asking whether Riordan borrowed from Greek Mythology. Having said that, I do not see any objection with examining Riordan's works with the Odyssey, or the Iliad (though probably less with the Aeneid, because it is Roman in origin). As such, I would consider expanding the topic to include the aforementioned Greek Mythology, but have no problem with the topic as is. – JDJankowski9 years ago
I mean, obviously Riordan borrows information from Greek mythology in general, and given that his second series, Heroes of Olympus, tries to hybridize Greek and Roman mythologies, I'm sure there is some borrowing from the Aeneid in his distinction between a typical Greek and Roman hero, culture, and ideal mindset. What interests me is to what extent Percy's characterization as an impulsive, affectionate, dorky middle schooler is utterly alien to the tone and kinds of characters we find in traditional examples of Greek mythology, like the Odyssey. My gut response is no, the people in the Odyssey are larger-than-life heroes, which is an interesting analysis of how we just use flavoring from other cultures to tell the same kinds of stories that fit our culture. However, Odysseus isn't the paragon of heroism or virtue - he lies, gets lucky, conveniently forgets about his wife, accidentally makes way too many enemies, has a smart mouth etc. I think the two of them could be more similar than we give them credit for, which would also have interesting implications for the series. – thekellyfornian9 years ago
I think you make a very good point about the story here and though it has been a while since I've read the Percy jackson series, I do remember it being a bit of a leap from the classical myths. In Greek Mythology there is a lot more adult themes that appear which is why I think Riordan has tones it down for his series. I do think it is a great idea for him to add in more illusions to different Greek myths, but as these stories are meant for young adults, he needs to be careful about how he goes about including them. – laurenintheclouds9 years ago
If you love something, let it go. If it comes back, it was meant to be. People have a hard time understanding that though, and instead want to possess other people. What are some reasons, we feel the need to "own" other people? What are some examples of these reasons being acted out in various pieces of literature. For example, in "A Picture of Dorian Gray" we see two characters fight over Dorian's friendship. There are several examples of them trying to keep him away from each other. Perhaps, one wants to possess someone so that they can feel needed and loved completely like the witch who wishes to keep Rapunzel locked away in a tower. Or maybe your author didn't finish writing your favorite story exactly how you wanted it. You decide to lock him in your house until he finishes it "correctly" as in Stephen King's "Mercy". And of course there is the obvious. Love. We can find many references to wanting to own someone just because we love them.
Maybe think more about what lens you want to look at this from. Is the possession used to drive plot/conflict? Or is is used in a psychological sense to build characters? – MichelleAjodah9 years ago
I think marriage and the language/rituals surrounding it might be a more convincing form of ownership for the theory that love leads to this desire for ownership.
I also think that Dorian Gray, at least from the friendship angle, is maybe not such a great support, though maybe you could convince me (but it would take a bit so maybe just focus on one literary work especially if it is more of a stretch). – KateC339 years ago
That's just one probably bad example. My topic also doesn't have to focus on love. I'm trying to get people to think about the many reasons a person may want to control or "keep" someone and find examples of such reasons in literature. Maybe someone wants to befriend or marry someone else for power or money. You could even find a book involving kidnapping as "possessing this person" could lead trading them for money. Just get creative with it. In fact, I'd not use love as an example because it's obvious and overdone. – Tatijana9 years ago
I do like the psychological angle that you are taking. You may find that it is more worthwhile to narrow your literary focus to just one of your aforementioned works (personally, I would go for a more classical piece of literature, but that is my personal preference). But this seems to be fine as is. – JDJankowski9 years ago
Other pieces of literature that would work well with this theme of possession and love: -A Doll's House (Nora is owned by her husband and treated like a child until she realizes that her personal growth is more important than her duty to others)
-Merchant of Venice (Portia and the probably-gay-Antonio fight over the affections of Bassanio by trying to make him the most indebted to them) – thekellyfornian9 years ago
Maybe it would be good to consider the ways in which people take possession of others in specific physical senses. How do the body parts interplay with the reasons for desiring possession? – jilltcundari9 years ago
"We accept the love we think we deserve" - Stephen Chbosky. That being said, perhaps 'possession' in a friendship is a matter of perspective. To one who has never experienced a genuine friendship, being owned might just be second best! Interesting topic. – SuzetteA9 years ago
In one of the most controversial novels of the 20th century, D.H. Lawrence explores life, love and sex along Connie Chatterley's journey to physical and existential reawakening. In his depiction of the life of the mind and the industrialized world, particularly his prediction of what the world would be like 100 years after the writing of this work (e.g. ~2030), how accurate do you all feel Lawrence's prediction of the potential destructive nature of the industrialized world to be?
Many works of literary merit have been placed on a ban list and are forbidden to be taught in some schools. Chief among these books is "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" for it's controversial topics concerning race and censorship. Although the book isn't inherently racist, offense has been taken to it and its casual use of "the n-word." Despite the controversy surrounding it, though, it is still considered a great piece of American Literature. How does society react when it is presented with controversy (specifically in a school setting) such as this, and how do these reactions affect the value of the work as a whole? Would the meaning of the work be diminished if this conflict didn't exist? Use the answers to analyze whether Huckleberry Finn should be taught in school or permanently banned from our education system.
Huckleberry Finn is an interesting choice because it is no longer controversial for the same reasons it was when it was published. It might also be interesting to briefly examine Twain's intentions for the story before delving into delving into the controversy and interpretations surrounding it. – MichelleAjodah9 years ago
Many countries have banned book lists. Middle Eastern countries in particular have some really interesting ideas as to what constitutes controversy. Maybe do a comparison on what is controversial in the U.S. and Europe in comparison to other parts on the world? – jakedook9 years ago
Just imagine the book's success had it not used the n-word. Just look at Agatha Christie's book "And Then There Were None." Before it's name was censored it was called "Ten Little N***ers," but most people don't know that and give the story acclaim anyways. It's not that the author's were inherently racist, it was just a term that was socially acceptable/used in their time, the problem lies in the sensitivities of people in our time and their inability to understand that. – Slaidey9 years ago
It takes the first amendment away to say any book that has a controversial topic in it. Children shouldn't have to be placed in a situation were they have to think about controversial topics. But that is a perfect world.-camilliamaye – CamilliaMaye9 years ago
Political correctness is a curse wearing the mask of a blessing. The rawness of Twain's novel discusses the inconvenient reality of society. This book was on the ban list when I was in school but our teacher placed it on the syllabus to be read regardless. Was she wrong? I don't think so. Aware? Definitely. – SuzetteA9 years ago
@SuzetteA: Yes, oh, yes. To the original poster, it would definitely be worth exploring what constitutes controversy in different cultures, settings, or genres. For example, what we think is appropriate for children is vastly different from what we think is appropriate for adults. A lot of the time, I think a double standard exists. – Stephanie M.8 years ago
Ferret's works have been widely appropriated by feminists, and in her Neapolitan Novels Ferrante even mentions that she considered herself a feminist; however, the experiences and interactions of her characters seem to suggest a different, more subtle interpretation of the female experience.
What is the more subtle interpretation? – Tatijana9 years ago
I recently discovered Elena Ferrante (much later than others) and went to search Artiface to see if anyone on here has written about her work....yours is the only mention! If you're still here I would love to read more about this topic from someone. – DrBax4 years ago
Think about representations of nature and physical characteristics in Gothic novels. Ann Radcliffe and Mary Shelly both focus on these aspects in their various writings. Especially in The Romance of the Forest and Frankenstein, the respective authors use imagery to highlight the sublime aspect in their novels. Whereas the beautiful is something humans perceive as "pretty" or "delicate", sublime is something humans perceive as "awful" and "striking". This derivation of the word awful can be understood from its Greek roots. In ancient greek, the word "awful" translates more as a terrible wonder, giving more meaning to the power of the source. In Gothic novels, the sublime hold this meaning. Things that humans stare in wonder, but are at the same time terrified of are often personified in the gothic. For example, a flower is usually beautiful, whereas a thunderstorm is sublime.
As a lover of all things Gothic in lit, I think this is a wonderful idea! The overwrought emotions and Romantic themes contribute to the terror and ambiguity in fiction such as Mary Shelley's. I wonder if you can even extend the sublime even partly to other Gothic subgenres, such as Southern Gothic. An intriguing thought. Still, when it comes to Brit lit alone, examining Romanticism's perspective of nature and how it's channeled in Gothic lit is a fascinating topic. – emilydeibler9 years ago
I love this topic! Perhaps you could change some of your points to questions so whoever chooses this topic can create an argument from it. – emilyinmannyc9 years ago
Thinking of the Gothic and then, particularly, the 19th-Century Novel, I am curious if this comparison differs between female and male writers, i.e. George Eliot vs. Dickens, the Bronte sisters vs. George Meredith, Austen vs. Twain, etc.?
– Jeffery Moser9 years ago
I feel that looking at many of these texts from an ecocritical perspective can also be quite interesting. The Romantic age correlated with an increasingly industrialized European world. Part of why the romantcized nature to this extent, was because they were removed from it. I am curious about how the perceptions of nature and the emotions that nature can elicit correspond with the then-unprecedented environmental destruction of the countryside, and the movement away from nature that many individuals probably experienced as they flocked to urban centers for employment. – Moonrattle9 years ago
