These three thematic clusters can also be conceptualized as variations on the interconnected themes of fairness, right conduct, and justice. Most of the assigned readings present situations and dilemmas the characters find difficult, even impossible to resolve. Sometimes the characters’ difficulties are self-inflicted, at least partly so. Sometimes they result from larger forces and systems of prejudice and privilege that cannot possibly be vanquished by individual characters.
For your Research Essay, you will choose related texts we are reading and discussing in this class from Discovering the Many Worlds of Literature. Determine what the texts have in common, and make that the focus of your research.
Here are some more specific options for each theme, each with some research questions that can guide your research into the backgrounds of the stories. Please choose one of the following options:
Theme 1:
Chopin, Devi and Ousmane present situations where women are victimized. In addition, the main characters sometimes find themselves blamed for their husband’s misdeeds. As you research and investigate these stories, you may want to use the following questions to aid you in your research: What gender prejudices do the stories expose? How are they different in each situation? What social and legal circumstances lead to these situations? How have they changed over time?
Research Prompt: How are the historical and social/cultural contexts similar and how do they reflect real circumstances in Chopin’s mid 1800’s Southern USA, Devi’s 1980s Bengal and Ousmane’s 1970’s Mali?
Make sure to include the following in your Research Essay:
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1. Find out as much as you can about the situations and times/places that have inspired each of the stories.
2. Investigate as much historical and social/cultural information as possible that relates to the stories and include this in your discussion.
3. Investigate as much as you can about class, race, culture (including religion), and gender at these times and places and include this in your discussion.
4. Discuss each story and how it does or does not reflect real social and historical circumstances.
Theme 2:
The stories of Al-Shaykh, Kashkuli, and Salih are each set in an Islamic country, and the latter two deal with economic struggles. As you research and investigate these stories, you may want to use the following questions to aid you in your research: What Islamic influences can be found in each story? How are they reflected in the family relationships portrayed? How accurate is the depiction of economic struggle? How does poverty affect the child characters?
Research Prompt: How are the religious/cultural, social and economic contexts similar and how do they reflect real circumstances in Al-Shaykh, Kashkuli, and Salih?
Make sure to include the following in your Research Essay:
1. Find out as much as you can about the situations and times/places that have inspired each of the stories.
2. Investigate as much historical and social/cultural information as possible that relates to the stories and include this in your discussion.
3. Investigate as much as you can about class, race, culture (including religion), and gender at these times and places and include this in your discussion.
4. Discuss each story and how it does or does not reflect real social and historical circumstances.
Theme 3:
Miscommunication figures prominently in the stories Tan and Heker and is further discussed by Tan in her Essay, œThe Language of Discretion. As you research and investigate these stories, you may want to use the following questions to aid you in your research: What social and cultural influences contribute to these miscommunications? What deeper conflicts or fears may further impede communication between the characters due to generational differences?
Research Prompt: How have the generational, cultural and
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