Alright fellow students...I have a vague idea of what I'm going to write about and I'm not going to deny the fact that I'm kinda looking forward to my research. The writing part I'm not super keen on, mostly because I'm a poor writer, but the content will be at least somewhat rewarding to me. I'm going to concentrate on the following texts.
Byron's "The Giaour"
CBB's Edgar Huntly
Hawthornes "Young Goodman Brown"
Wilde's Dorian Gray
I may have to restrict this to only two of the four, but I would like to use all of them as they were some of my favorite readings from this semester.
Here's what I plan on doing:
I will argue that the following literary works all display a certain feeling of Christian Guilt throughout the texts that is illustrated by a loathsome self-image of the central characters in which self-destructive and immoral behavior is prominent throughout the progression of the stories. I plan to support my claim with specific examples which I will desperately attempt to support. I will touch on the fact that each of the protagonists are partnered with a central figure throughout the text that acts as an outside influence ie:Lord Henry to Dorian, the staffed man to Goodman Brown. These secondary characters represent the fight between moral and immoral desires in the characters struggles.
I know this is a grossly vague description of what I'm writing about but I've already found several interesting articles that will help me prove that I'm somewhat accurate in my claims. Also, as per usual there will be some discussion on homoeroticism and other sexual desires throughout some of the texts. I can't help it, sex is fun to write about. Sorry Julie!
If anyone has any suggestions or, more accurately, concerns feel free to leave me some feedback, I'd really like to write a good paper this semester and I tend to drop the ball when it comes to structured essays. Happy research and writing class!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Sex is fun to write about! And read, for that matter! What an interesting topic you chose, though!! I really like your ideas, i wish there was a way you could incorportate one of Hawthorne's texts! I would be more than happy to help you brainstorm a thesis!
ReplyDeletesounds like some interesting subjects to write about.
ReplyDeleteOooh! Sounds like fun! I think your topic is going to be very interesting, and I hope it all works out. Like Heather I'm anxious to read about the sex parts! :)
ReplyDeleteA few basic issues with the premise here: first, how/from what theoretical tradition are you going to define "Christian Guilt"? Second, how you are going to prove that the characters you are talking about either are or are not Christian? This is all very shaky ground on which to begin an argument. And, quite frankly, you don't need it -- unless you can very specifically identify religious traditions in which the characters are operating inside and outside of, and outline/detail the importance of that.
ReplyDeleteIf you just started with the protagonists and their antagonists (or foils, depending), that would be a fine start -- and then you have to figure out what it is that you just observed. Because if your argument is that the protagonists have antagonists or foils, that's not enough. If you are saying that the protagonist-antagonist/foil relationship is one that "represents the fight between moral and immoral desires in the characters' struggles" that's much much closer but still not far enough. To go where you think you want to go would potentially be difficult; I think the best path right now would be to keep going with what I just quoted back at you and see if, along the way, you can't figure out the rest of the argument. It will probably help to get some more text out in front of you before you try to pull it all together.