Topics: Laurika Nxumalo

The Story of an Hour illustrates the dual themes of confinement and freedom. Mrs. Mallard's story reveals the restricted roles of women in 19th-century society and the profound yearning for selfhood that lay beneath those constraints. The brief and intense exploration of freedom in Louise's mind highlights both the allure and the cost of autonomy in a world that does not yet recognize a woman's right to it.

In The Dark Knight, the Joker claims that his chaotic nature doesn't have a set plan, yet he nevertheless manipulates events to suit his destructive nature. He spots and takes advantage of other people's flaws, whether they be the heroes' moral defects or the corruption in the police.

Discuss how his strategic thinking and erratic behavior turn him into an underdog.

Justice vs anarchy, order versus chaos, and the weight of leadership are some of the themes explored in The Dark Knight. Batman, Gordon, and Dent are the forces who attempt to uphold order in the face of enormous difficulty. As the Joker emerges, Batman, Gordon, and Dent's attempts to destroy Gotham's organized crime are put to the test.

Examine how, throughout their moral journeys, each character represents an underdog, particularly when confronted with situations that contradict their convictions.

In the Dark Knight (2008), Batman upholds a strong moral code, refraining from killing and believing in the possibility of forgiveness despite his vigilante tactics. In contrast, The Joker is a master of disorder who deliberately subverts morality and social conventions in an effort to demonstrate the pointlessness of justice and order.

Analyze Batman's philosophic underdog persona as he pursues justice in a city that frequently appears hopeless.

Towards the end of The Dark Knight (the boat dilemma), the Joker supplies two boats with a detonators – these ferries are carrying explosives. Aboard one are citizens and the other is carrying criminals – the Joker threatens to blow up both ferries if one does not destroy the other before midnight.

Take a look at how Gotham's ordinary citizens, who are sometimes disregarded or forgotten, contribute to the city's struggle for survival. When they stand up to corruption and criminality, how do they represent the spirit of the underdog?

A major theme in The Dark Knight is Batman's mental struggle between his inner demons and his drive to enforce justice. It reveals how vulnerable he is and how his work as a vigilante affects him. Batman's limited strength and the difficulties he encounters in combating crime are further highlighted by the mob's control and the ease with which they can manipulate the city's systems.

Discuss how his battle to uphold justice in spite of being mistrusted, feared, and frequently working alone in the shadows turns him into an underdog.

In The Dark Knight, the Joker is first portrayed as a low-level criminal, a "thug" who works on the outskirts of Gotham's organized crime scene. Despite his relatively unimportant role, the Joker challenges the authority of the police, the mob, and even Batman himself with his acts, which aim to upend the city and the status quo.

Examine how, while appearing helpless, the Joker is a powerful underdog.

Harvey Dent in The Dark Knight adopts a worldview of chaos and randomness after losing his loved ones and being disfigured, believing that the world is intrinsically unpredictable and that every conclusion is equally valid. As Two-Face, Dent becomes violent and causes distraction, frequently targeting criminals or people who have offended him.

How does Dent's story parallel the rise and fall of an underdog figure?

Non-human antagonists enrich storytelling by pushing the boundaries of imagination and challenging both characters and audiences to confront fears and truths beyond the human realm.

Interpret how earthquakes have been used as non-human antagonists in the movie 'San Andreas'

Sleep and dreams are central motifs in Shakespeare's Macbeth, symbolizing guilt, psychological turmoil, and the disruption of natural order. Throughout the play, sleep represents peace and innocence, but as Macbeth and Lady Macbeth become consumed by ambition and crime, their ability to sleep is gradually undermined, reflecting their deteriorating mental states.

Explore the significance and role of sleep and dreams in Shakespeare’s Macbeth

What is the philosophy of art? Explain the relationship between art and philosophy.

Look at how philosophers like Immanuel Kant, Arthur Danto, and Maurice Merleau-Ponty contributed to discussions on this topic, and how they offered different perspectives on what art is and how it functions in human life.

Renaissance beauty standards for women were influenced by a mix of classical ideals from Ancient Greece and Rome, alongside the cultural and religious norms of the time. These standards emphasized both physical appearance and inner qualities, such as virtue and modesty.

Explore how painters like Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Titian explored beauty standards in their artworks. Explore themes of idealized proportions, pale skin, luxurious attire, soft curves, and emotional depth

The supernatural plays a central and significant role in One Thousand and One Nights (Arabian Nights), shaping its themes, narrative structure, and character development. Many of the tales in the collection feature magical elements, from genies to enchanted objects, curses, and fantastical creatures. These supernatural elements serve multiple functions.

Explore the supernatural element and how it offers escapism and transformation and its reflection on hope, redemption, and the possibility of changing one’s circumstances.

The authors of 'American Gods' and 'A Wizard of Earthsea' use elements of magical realism and fantasy, though in distinct ways, to explore deep themes and create immersive worlds.

Explore how these elements in both novels help underline the central themes of identity, personal growth, and the tension between the old and the new.

Vampires, wolves, and witches are some of the most enduring supernatural creatures in literature and fiction, often embodying themes of power, fear, and transformation. Each of these creatures tends to evolve and reflect cultural fears, desires, and social dynamics throughout different periods in history.

Explore how vampires, wolves, and witches are portrayed across several literary texts and works of fiction. Choose your own movies to focus on that are about vampires, wolves, and witches, e.g. Macbeth, Dracula, Ginger Snaps, etc

Viewers and readers are often captivated by villains because they represent complex, multidimensional characters that challenge societal norms and moral boundaries. Unlike heroes, who often adhere to strict ethical codes, villains are free to explore forbidden desires, raw ambition, and unchecked power, which can be both thrilling and relatable.

A well-crafted villain often embodies qualities like intelligence, charm, and resilience, making them intriguing despite their destructive actions. Their backstories, which frequently reveal pain, loss, or a misunderstood motivation, allow audiences to empathize with their humanity. Villains also serve as powerful mirrors, reflecting the darker sides of human nature and the consequences of unrestrained emotions or desires.

Additionally, villains often drive the story’s conflict and tension, creating a compelling dynamic that keeps audiences engaged. Their unpredictability and audacity make them unforgettable, providing a dramatic foil to the hero’s journey and often stealing the spotlight. In many ways, viewers and readers love villains because they represent freedom, complexity, and the messy realities of human existence.

Explore why Cersei Lannister from 'Game of Thrones' is a loved villain

Horror films often use comedy as a tool to release built-up tension, giving the audience a moment to breathe before the next scare.

Analyse how humor is used to address social commentary, blending satire with psychological horror in Jordan Peele’s Get Out (2017).

The movie Inception (2010), directed by Christopher Nolan, offers a fascinating perspective on the nature of dreams and their psychological significance. It explores how dreams can be manipulated, shared, and layered, raising deep questions about reality and consciousness. This connects intriguingly to the practice of dream interpretation in fields such as psychoanalysis and spirituality.

Concept to explore – Are dreams another world that is created by our emotions or are dreams just a way in which the subconscious reveals itself?

Mark Twain's portrayal of Widow Douglas, another of Huck's guardians, emphasizes the topic of religious hypocrisy. The Widow Douglas represents a respectable, "civilized" society that seeks to reform Huck by imparting Christian moral standards in him. She educates him about prayer, urges that he be "civilized," and opposes his reckless behavior. Twain, on the other hand, gently challenges Widow Douglas' moral authority by exposing her errors. For example, she discourages Huck from smoking yet readily consumes snuff, a type of tobacco. Her own habits reveal the moral contradictions in her faith.

Gatsby throws parties to entice Daisy Buchanan, the love of his life. The magnificence of the gatherings underscores Gatsby's attempt to reclaim Daisy by achieving the American Dream of success, fortune, and social position. However, the superficiality of these events highlights the novel's portrayal of the American Dream as empty. Despite the glamor, the parties are attended by people who do not know Gatsby and have no interest in him, underscoring the futility of his quest.