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Essay #2 - Unit 2 (4-page paper)DeAnza College-EWRT1C
Instructor: Hearn
Fall 2002
Essay #2
Unit 2-Monstrous Desires/Abjection
Assignment:
Select one of the following topics and write a four-page essay exploring the topic in detail. If a text is not mentioned, you may use Frankenstein, Dracula or both texts.
Be sure to include a specific thesis statement and use ample evidence from the text(s) to support your argument. You may also create your own topic but you must clear it with me first. Be aware that you are expected to refer to passages that we have not discussed in class and that you are responsible to produce original ideas. Papers that simply regurgitate class discussion will not receive a grade higher than a "B."
- Look Who's Talking
What is the structure of the discourse? How does this narrative style affect the story itself?
- The Man with the Iron Mask
What Dopplegangers exist in the text(s)? How are these characters doublings of each other and what is the effect of providing these doubles?
- Stealing Harvard
How is the desire for knowledge treated in the text(s)? What is the role of science and technology?
- Memento
How is madness defined in the text(s)? Who is considered mad in the text(s) and by whom? What is the relationship between madness, reality, and dreaming?
- Original Sin
What are characteristics of being human in the text(s)? Is man inherently good or evil according to the text(s) treatment of this issue?
- Minority Report
How is racial Othering potrayed in the text(s)?
- The Wedding Planner
What is the role of marriage in the text(s)? How are the marriages portrayed and what are the characters' attitudes towards marriage?
- Bridget Jones' Diary
What is the significance of writing in the text(s)? Who writes and what methods are used? Why are these methods important?
- FearDotCom
What is the abject in the text(s)? What is the characters' attitudes towards the abject?
- Signs
In what ways is the concept of belief addressed in the text(s)? Who believes what? What is belief based on?
- Meet the Parents
In what ways are family, and more specifically parenting, addressed in Frankenstein? How is the idea of parenting related to (pro)creating?
- Chocolat
What are the different forms of consumption in Dracula? What are the similarities and the differences between these forms?
- All About the Benjamins
In what does the influence of capitalism appear in Dracula? What is the attitude towards capitalism?
- Blade
What are the parallels between vampirism and sexuality in Dracula? How is desire played out in these topics?
- Back to the Future
How is the contrast between linearity and circularity portrayed in Dracula? What instances exist of linearity and what instances of circularity (or repetition) exist? What is the significance of these differences?
- Two Can Play That Game
How are masculinity and femininity defined in Dracula? What are the privileges and limitations of each of these gender roles?
Logistics:
- Do not repeat significant passages that you addressed in your close reading.
- All papers must be typed and double-spaced. Papers should have 1" margins on all sides and standard 12 pt. font should be used.
- The paper should include an informative and interesting title.
- Papers must be a minimum of four pages (not including the heading and title).
- The paper is due on Monday, November 4.
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