ENG
590.07: Topics for Paper I
Due Monday,
October 4, your first essay should be 450-550 words long and adhere to
the
formatting guidelines that can be linked to here:
http://people.cohums.ohio-state.edu/herman145/papertemplate.html
Option A: Focusing on one or two
specific
scenes
in the novel, discuss the relation between the older self who narrates
(the "narrating-I") and the younger self who experiences ("the
experiencing-I") in Brideshead
Revisited. In what ways does
Charles Ryder as the narrating-I diverge from or converge with Charles
Ryder as the experiencing-I? What kind of
convergence or divergence is
involved--one having to do with perceptions, attitudes, values,
beliefs, emotions,
or something else? What specific
textual features can you identify as ones indicating divergence or
convergence?
Option B: Use an idea discussed by Ryan or Toolan
to develop an interesting interpretation of a specific scene in Brideshead
Revisited. For this option,
you should focus on some aspect of Ryan's or Toolan's
account of the nature of
narrative; relevant aspects include setting, character, plot,
temporality,
focalization or perspective, and so on.
Then use the scene from Waugh's novel to "test out" the validity
or productiveness
of Ryan's
or Toolan's ideas. What features
of the scene do the ideas help you understand?
By contrast, are there aspects of the scene that Ryan's
or Toolan's ideas do not help illuminate?
Option C: Use an idea discussed by Ritivoi
to develop an interesting interpretation of a specific scene in Brideshead
Revisited. For this option,
you should focus on some aspect of Ritivoi's account of the
interrelations between narrative and identity.
Then use the scene from Waugh's novel to "test out" the validity
or productiveness of Ritivoi's ideas. What
features
of the scene do her ideas help you understand?
By contrast, are there aspects of the scene that her ideas do not
help illuminate?