Please post your tentative thesis. Read your peers' thesis statements and try to find your own unique slant on the literature. Take a risk and have fun with your topic. Don't state the obvious!
In A Thousand Splendid Suns, author Khaled Hosseini symbolizes the opressive nature of the Taliban by utilizing the motif of films to suggest that artistic expression triumphs political censorship.
This is just a start but I thought I would put it out there...
In The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini uses the slinghosts that belong to Sohrab to express the courage, loyalty and solitude that result from class separation.
Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler uses the character of Judge Brack in capturing the human inability to be completely controlled by an outside force, and proposes that all of us have a breaking point at which our free spirit can no longer accept orders.
The internal battle between good and evil haunts Cal Tras in Easy of Eden, by John Steinbeck, as Cal discovers he is condemned to become the Cain of his generation, much like his mother.
Well this needs a lot more thought... I wanted to do something with Cohn but I first have to think about his role... I have no idea as to his significance at the moment. Here's my first thought.
In his novel, The Sun Also Rises, Ernest Hemingway exposes the flaws of high society by illuminating his characters' wishes to escape reality through the use of alcohol and frequent vacations.
This is a complete draft and is subject to change at any time fyi:
Throughout his novel The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini uses the recurring image of blood to accentuate that we often discover that the most meaningful relationships are in those whose friendship and devotion are easily forgotten.
In The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini uses the motif of the slingshots that belong to Hassan and Sohrab to express the courage, loyalty and solitude that result from a class separation that is characterized by servitude and an unlikely friendship.
It still needs work, so any comments would be greatly appreciated.
In The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini uses the minor character of Assef to symbolize the power struggles, broken friendships, and humiliation that haunt Amir's past and control his actions in the present.
Spain is notorious for their bull fights and the infamous running of the bulls and in The Sun Also Rises, these bull fights bring out the true characteristics of the main characters in the novel.
Throughout the Tempest, Shakespeare exploits Stephano's stark disposition towards life and hunger for power to capture and adduce the quintessential corrupted human mind.
Khaled Hosseini in The Kite Runner presents the minor character of Assef as a symbol of hegemonic oppresion and asserts that its destruction can only be obtained, not by the rebellion of the dejected classes, but by dutiful aid from an upper class.
The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini, uses scars as a motif and a reminder to Amir to never forget the past, a past of courage, strength and happiness.
Sorry I'm a little late, I've been having technical difficulties for a while now with my internet and now the blog site, and so hopefully this just finally works.
Emily-- This looks very interesting. (Why did you abandon the Titanic idea? Was it too narrow? I hope you plan to discuss that movie in this paper!) I can't wait to read your essay.
Anna-- I'm intrigued by your topic. However, I don't see a connection between a slingshot and "loyalty and solitude." The object doesn't seem to match the ideas you say it represents.....
Be sure the thesis is logical and perfectly clear. Have fun with the topic!
Dave-- Studying a minor character is always interesting in Ibsen's plays. Your thesis offers some valid points, but be sure to express your idea as clearly as possible. For example, do you mean to say, "Ibsen uses the character of Judge Brack to capture...and to propose...."? Be sure to use parallel structure. Also, I assume you are going to study symbolic layers of significance in the details Ibsen uses to depict this character.
Light is indeed a common motif--and you imply that Haruf uses it in a unique way. However, the thesis doesn't show how it is unique. The thesis is somewhat vague. Light symbolizes what, exactly--? Your thesis suggests that light = "more story." I'm not sure I understand that. Try to specify what light represents (truth?) and then state the book's theme more precisely.
Shelby-- Cohn is obviously Jewish. Surely that is significant. (Is Hemingway anti-Semitic? Is he using this character as a symbol?) A paper about Cohn could be interesting.
The alcohol and "vacations" are ok, but I've read too many papers about them. (Secondary sources like Sparks Notes go into much detail about these topics, and, quite frankly, I get tired of reading essays about Hemingway's boozy characters....)
Can you find a motif that's more fresh and original?
It looks as if you are using blood (the literal red stuff, I assume) to represent "blood ties"--family? Are there any other symbolic meanings? Blood is often used to represent violence, death, crime, guilt, etc.
I am having some trouble understanding the connection you are making between blood and "the most meaningful relationships are in those whose friendship and devotion are easily forgotten." What specific images of blood operate on this level?
I recall the scene where Ferdinand and Miranda are playing chess. I'm not sure that this single scene is enough to write a whole paper about, howaver. Is there a "chess" motif that flows through the play? Are there words and images directly related to the game? If not, then a motif doesn't exist.
Select an image that recurs. Trace its appearance throughout the play. It isn't enough to merely explore the theme of "zeal and dominance."
The bull fight is one of Hemingway's most famous symbols. What new slant will you offer on this topic? When you select such a popular topic, the challenge will be to separate yourself from the pack. Right now, your thesis doesn't convince me that your essay will be original and exciting. It's far too vague and imprecise......
Yes, Steinbeck does this. But so what? What new ideas are you going to present in your essay? The novel is rather didactic--especially in its discussion of "timshel." The book's theme IS "timshel."
Instead of merely restating and describing Steinbeck's theme, analyze a focus detail. Look at how Steinbeck uses a particular literary element to convey his ideas about "timshel." Study symbol, character, allusion, irony, setting, etc. Find a detail to trace and then to interpret. Write an essay that answers a question you have about the novel.
I like your focus detail. Stephano is fun to study, and he gets us to the play's big ideas about humanity, politics, etc. I assume you'll explore Stephano's relationship to the major characters and how he functions as a foil. Like most of Shakespeare's clowns, he mirrors the noble figures in the play.....
I am eager to read your essay. Even though Assef is a major character, your thesis offers a fresh, interesting idea about him and brings the reader to a symbolic level of understanding. Be sure to focus your essay carefully around specific scenes in the novel. Point to and explicate text. Uncover the deeper meaning of specific images that appear in the book... especially images involving Assef.
Please read my comment to Shelby. She also wants to write about alcohol.
I don't really find this focus detail too interesting for The Sun Also Rises, mainly because the topic is so overdone. However, if you believe you have a unique, fresh approach to the idea, then go ahead.
I'm trying to remember scars in the book....Do several of them appear? It might be interesting to study them. I assume they represent past wounds that have healed but that have also marked a person permanently..... Is the symbolism too obvious? It seems a bit simplistic....
If you select this topic, be sure to offer depth and originality in your analysis.
Revise the second half of your thesis. Make the thematic statement a bit more profound.
In The Tempest, William Shakespeare employs through the use of the tempest, the proliferous downfalls of human kind. Prospero's power allows the magician to endow the same torment upon the crew, as that he and his daughter have had to suffer for twelve agonizing years.
I realize the tempest is the most obvious motif but i believe I could find a meaning within the storm itself that would surprise any reader.
Alyson said... In the novel The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini the re-occurring image of mirrors displays the evil side of human nature, the craving to portray a powerful image toward the community and the desire to obtain self-confidence.
By using the recurring image of blood in his novel to accentuate the ironies of sacrifice, death, and family ties, Hosseini suggests that some form of loss will always taint a victory.
In The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini uses a slingshot to portray the courage, to overthrow a higher class, and loyalty, to protect an unlikely friendship, demonstrated by Hassan and the Hazaran people of Afghanistan.
It's still a little wordy but I think its almost there.
38 comments:
In A Thousand Splendid Suns, author Khaled Hosseini symbolizes the opressive nature of the Taliban by utilizing the motif of films to suggest that artistic expression triumphs political censorship.
This is just a start but I thought I would put it out there...
In The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini uses the slinghosts that belong to Sohrab to express the courage, loyalty and solitude that result from class separation.
Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler uses the character of Judge Brack in capturing the human inability to be completely controlled by an outside force, and proposes that all of us have a breaking point at which our free spirit can no longer accept orders.
just a start...
The internal battle between good and evil haunts Cal Tras in Easy of Eden, by John Steinbeck, as Cal discovers he is condemned to become the Cain of his generation, much like his mother.
what do you think?
In Plainsong, Kent Haruf uses a very different view of the common motif light to illuminate that there is always more story behind every appearance.
Well this needs a lot more thought... I wanted to do something with Cohn but I first have to think about his role... I have no idea as to his significance at the moment. Here's my first thought.
In his novel, The Sun Also Rises, Ernest Hemingway exposes the flaws of high society by illuminating his characters' wishes to escape reality through the use of alcohol and frequent vacations.
This is a complete draft and is subject to change at any time fyi:
Throughout his novel The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini uses the recurring image of blood to accentuate that we often discover that the most meaningful relationships are in those whose friendship and devotion are easily forgotten.
any comments/thoughts?
So here is an updated version of my thesis:
In The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini uses the motif of the slingshots that belong to Hassan and Sohrab to express the courage, loyalty and solitude that result from a class separation that is characterized by servitude and an unlikely friendship.
It still needs work, so any comments would be greatly appreciated.
Shakespeare’s The Tempest embodies the theme of zeal and dominance through the cut throat and strategic symbolism of chess.
In The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini uses the minor character of Assef to symbolize the power struggles, broken friendships, and humiliation that haunt Amir's past and control his actions in the present.
Spain is notorious for their bull fights and the infamous running of the bulls and in The Sun Also Rises, these bull fights bring out the true characteristics of the main characters in the novel.
In his beloved novel, East of Eden, Steinbeck utilizes the biblical phrase “timshel” to bring to light his collective outlook on human nature.
If you think this is too shallow please let me know Mrs. Makovsky. I do believe, however, that I can write a very strong essay on this topic.
Oh! And Mrs. Makovsky is amazing.
Throughout the Tempest, Shakespeare exploits Stephano's stark disposition towards life and hunger for power to capture and adduce the quintessential corrupted human mind.
Khaled Hosseini in The Kite Runner presents the minor character of Assef as a symbol of hegemonic oppresion and asserts that its destruction can only be obtained, not by the rebellion of the dejected classes, but by dutiful aid from an upper class.
Ernest Hemingway exposes society's inability to accept their own consequences through the character's addiction to alcohol in The Sun Also Rises.
The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini, uses scars as a motif and a reminder to Amir to never forget the past, a past of courage, strength and happiness.
Sorry I'm a little late, I've been having technical difficulties for a while now with my internet and now the blog site, and so hopefully this just finally works.
Emily--
This looks very interesting. (Why did you abandon the Titanic idea? Was it too narrow? I hope you plan to discuss that movie in this paper!) I can't wait to read your essay.
Anna--
I'm intrigued by your topic. However, I don't see a connection between a slingshot and "loyalty and solitude." The object doesn't seem to match the ideas you say it represents.....
Be sure the thesis is logical and perfectly clear. Have fun with the topic!
Dave--
Studying a minor character is always interesting in Ibsen's plays. Your thesis offers some valid points, but be sure to express your idea as clearly as possible. For example, do you mean to say, "Ibsen uses the character of Judge Brack to capture...and to propose...."? Be sure to use parallel structure. Also, I assume you are going to study symbolic layers of significance in the details Ibsen uses to depict this character.
Allison--
This thesis doesn't have an argument. What is your topic? What question are you answering? This thesis leaves the reader wondering, so what?
Clarify your focus. Is it Cal? Is it Cain? Then, state how your focus detail relates to the purpose or mening of the book.
Abbe--
Light is indeed a common motif--and you imply that Haruf uses it in a unique way. However, the thesis doesn't show how it is unique. The thesis is somewhat vague. Light symbolizes what, exactly--? Your thesis suggests that light = "more story." I'm not sure I understand that. Try to specify what light represents (truth?) and then state the book's theme more precisely.
Shelby--
Cohn is obviously Jewish. Surely that is significant. (Is Hemingway anti-Semitic? Is he using this character as a symbol?) A paper about Cohn could be interesting.
The alcohol and "vacations" are ok, but I've read too many papers about them. (Secondary sources like Sparks Notes go into much detail about these topics, and, quite frankly, I get tired of reading essays about Hemingway's boozy characters....)
Can you find a motif that's more fresh and original?
Shamita--
It looks as if you are using blood (the literal red stuff, I assume) to represent "blood ties"--family? Are there any other symbolic meanings? Blood is often used to represent violence, death, crime, guilt, etc.
I am having some trouble understanding the connection you are making between blood and "the most meaningful relationships are in those whose friendship and devotion are easily forgotten." What specific images of blood operate on this level?
Nikki--
I recall the scene where Ferdinand and Miranda are playing chess. I'm not sure that this single scene is enough to write a whole paper about, howaver. Is there a "chess" motif that flows through the play? Are there words and images directly related to the game? If not, then a motif doesn't exist.
Select an image that recurs. Trace its appearance throughout the play. It isn't enough to merely explore the theme of "zeal and dominance."
Krista--
Isn't Assef's role in the story somewhat obvious? Find a topic that will challenge you, that will open up new ideas for you and your reader.......
Focus on a detail that isn't so easy to understand!
Brett--
The bull fight is one of Hemingway's most famous symbols. What new slant will you offer on this topic? When you select such a popular topic, the challenge will be to separate yourself from the pack. Right now, your thesis doesn't convince me that your essay will be original and exciting. It's far too vague and imprecise......
Jacob--
Yes, Steinbeck does this. But so what? What new ideas are you going to present in your essay? The novel is rather didactic--especially in its discussion of "timshel." The book's theme IS "timshel."
Instead of merely restating and describing Steinbeck's theme, analyze a focus detail. Look at how Steinbeck uses a particular literary element to convey his ideas about "timshel." Study symbol, character, allusion, irony, setting, etc. Find a detail to trace and then to interpret. Write an essay that answers a question you have about the novel.
Evan--
I like your focus detail. Stephano is fun to study, and he gets us to the play's big ideas about humanity, politics, etc. I assume you'll explore Stephano's relationship to the major characters and how he functions as a foil. Like most of Shakespeare's clowns, he mirrors the noble figures in the play.....
Kenneth--
I am eager to read your essay. Even though Assef is a major character, your thesis offers a fresh, interesting idea about him and brings the reader to a symbolic level of understanding. Be sure to focus your essay carefully around specific scenes in the novel. Point to and explicate text. Uncover the deeper meaning of specific images that appear in the book... especially images involving Assef.
Cayla--
Please read my comment to Shelby. She also wants to write about alcohol.
I don't really find this focus detail too interesting for The Sun Also Rises, mainly because the topic is so overdone. However, if you believe you have a unique, fresh approach to the idea, then go ahead.
Matt--
I'm trying to remember scars in the book....Do several of them appear? It might be interesting to study them. I assume they represent past wounds that have healed but that have also marked a person permanently..... Is the symbolism too obvious? It seems a bit simplistic....
If you select this topic, be sure to offer depth and originality in your analysis.
Revise the second half of your thesis. Make the thematic statement a bit more profound.
Sorry thought this posted last night but it didnt
In The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini uses the recurring image of kites to demonstrate the importance of loyalty and how easily it can be lost.
In The Tempest, William Shakespeare employs through the use of the tempest, the proliferous downfalls of human kind. Prospero's power allows the magician to endow the same torment upon the crew, as that he and his daughter have had to suffer for twelve agonizing years.
I realize the tempest is the most obvious motif but i believe I could find a meaning within the storm itself that would surprise any reader.
Alyson said...
In the novel The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini the re-occurring image of mirrors displays the evil side of human nature, the craving to portray a powerful image toward the community and the desire to obtain self-confidence.
In his most beloved novel, East of Eden, John Steinbeck incorporates the motif of money to demonstrate that wealth is no substitute for love.
This is my revised and probably final thesis:
By using the recurring image of blood in his novel to accentuate the ironies of sacrifice, death, and family ties, Hosseini suggests that some form of loss will always taint a victory.
In The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini uses a slingshot to portray the courage, to overthrow a higher class, and loyalty, to protect an unlikely friendship, demonstrated by Hassan and the Hazaran people of Afghanistan.
It's still a little wordy but I think its almost there.
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