Defense Paper Abstract and Announcements

No reading for Tuesday (the Tuesday after break, of course): I'll introduce the theme our next two books, Lord Dunsany's In the Land of Time and Tolkein's The Hobbit.  If you want to read ahead, feel free to read the first stories in Lord Dunsany's book about "The Gods of Pegana," which we will discuss on Thursday.  

Also, I'm posting the Abstract Assignment below, but note that it's not due for some time.  The Paper #2 is due RIGHT AFTER SPRING BREAK (see the assignment a few posts down).  Start thinking about it!  :)

The “Defense Paper” Abstract

I want everyone to finish this class by writing a significant critical paper which ties the themes and books of our class into the “big picture” of literary studies.  In this case, I want you to write a defense of fantasy/science fiction as bona fide literature, and not a subgroup of literature (such as Fantasy, Young Adult, Comic Books, etc.).  No branch of literature has been more influential in the 20th century than fantasy and science fiction, and yet almost no branch is more critically derided, tolerated only in passing when a ‘major’ writer such as Orwell or Atwood turns their attention to it.  Yet characters such as The Invisible Man, Hobbits, the Mariner, H.A.L., Merlyn, and superheroes themselves have entered the realm of mythology: they are metaphors invoked in everyday speech, and the basis for dozens of new works of literature and film.  In short, you can’t seriously study 20th century literature without contemplating the role of science fiction and fantasy in shaping its borders.

The DEFENSE PAPER will be a 10-12 page paper that consists of Three Parts: (a) A definition/defense of “science fiction and fantasy” which explains how you understand it and why this contradicts the stereotype of the form current in popular culture and/or literary studies; (b) a discussion of TWO works from class that develop your definition through example through close reading, outside sources, and (if applicable) biography; and (c) connection with a modern work of fantasy/science fiction that seems to share the same ideas, themes, or aesthetic.  This work could be another (relatively recent) book, film, video game, or album.  Remember that science fiction/fantasy is not relegated to literature alone—it crosses over into all sorts of art forms and modes of expression. 

Your ABSTRACT is a 2-3 page paper which explains the following, even though this could still be in fairly rough form: your working definition of fantasy and science fiction, which you hope to explore in your paper; the two works you want to discuss in your paper and how they seem to fit your definition; and a brief discussion of a modern work you feel also complements your definition.  An abstract doesn’t need to employ close reading or sources (though it could), but should be a general summary of your thoughts-in-process, and ambitions for doing serious research.  You do not need to include an annotated bibliography with your Abstract; all I care about for now is some specific ideas and approaches, which can be expanded and ironed out as you keep reading and writing throughout the semester.

THE ABSTRACT IS DUE FRIDAY, APRIL 3rd BY 5pm in my office (or earlier, if you can; the sooner you get on this, the sooner you can start focusing on the research/reading for the paper)