Complete a second draft of Act I of your Stoppard-esque play. While you revise, think about the ways in which your characters interact with the natural world and the ways in which they comment on both the natural world and the theatrical world -- thereby partaking in a bit of good old fashioned metatheatre.
Why do such a task, especially considering we're all going to hell in a hand basket (according to some absurdists and nihilists)? There are at least three reasons: 1) to feel what it's like to put into practice knowledge about theory (in this case absurdism, existentialism, tragedy, tragicomedy and the works of Shakespeare), form (in this case drama) and the various literary devices; 2) to challenge yourself -- it is much harder to engage in an activity directly than to critique someone else's engagement in it; and 3) to develop keen analytical skills that you might not otherwise gain because we learn by doing. See "constructivism."
Due Wednesday, December 17, 2008:
Complete, type in MLA format and submit via turnitin.com your 750- 2,000-word essay in response to the following prompt:
What are two major themes (written didactically in sentence form) of Tom Stoppard's play Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, and how does the author's diction support his proffering of those two themes? (Focus more on words than on sentences.)
Why two themes? 1) Because the play is layered and contains more than one theme; 2) because we need practice organizing an essay into two discrete parts (as is evidenced by our having a bit of trouble with compare/contrast essays); 3) because we need practice arriving at an original, albiet solid, thesis, not just assume one that is handed to us.
Why diction? Stoppard is very mindful with his diction. His choice of words is deliberate and leads us, the readers/audience, on a very particular journey of thought.
Things to keep in mind -
The word "theme" has many meanings. Know all the meanings, and know which pertains to this essay. For this essay (and for most of mine) I am referring to the central or over-arching theme, which is really the author's thesis. It is the author's message to the reader. Because this play is so layered, I am asking you to find TWO central themes instead of just one. You may put them into a hierarchy, if you wish, or you may decide to discuss them side by side as two of many equally significant themes.
There is no single correct answer. Decide on a thesis (your opinion as to what the two "main" themes are) and defend it. Back it up with evidence from the text.
When you are analyzing someone else's writing, first find their central thesis and then organize all the rest of the information around it.
When you are writing your own text, first divine a thesis and then back it up with evidence. (If it is a work of fiction you are writing, then perhaps do the aforementioned in the opposite order -- more on that later).
You can order your essay however you wish as long as it is strong and clear. Maybe have a primary and secondary theme; maybe have two equal themes; maybe have...
Don't negate the prompt. Accept as it is, and answer it to the best of your ability. If you feel resistance, figure out WHY you feel resistance. That might lead you to an epiphany and subsequently to a great thesis that both answers the prompt and appeases your desire to be contrary.
When you are finished with your essay -
Submit your essay to turnitin.com by 8 AM and also bring to class an MLA hard-copy.
Due Thursday, December 18, 2008:
E-mail to me by 11:49 PM your 100-word (or shorter) Lucky monologue.
Due Friday, December 19, 2008:
Study your notes (and perhaps the Internet) with regard to the Theatre of the Absurd, existentialism, tragedy, tragicomedy, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead and Waiting for Godot. There will be a quick 35-question multiple-choice test today in class.
Homework During Winter Break:
Read Gulliver's Travels;
Watch "The Office" episode 511 "Moroccan Christmas"; and episode 101 "Diversity Day";
Watch any episode of "The Colbert Report";
Watch the movie This is Spinal Tap; and
Read any issue of the Onion.
Submit to turnitin.com by January 7, 2009 at 7AM a 750- 2,000-word essay in answer to one of the following prompts:
Discuss the change in tone of Gulliver's Travels from one section to another. What purpose does the change in tone serve? What is the effect? Use excerpts and references to support your views.
Compare the tone and purpose of Gulliver's Travels to that of This is Spinal Tap.
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