English Guides: Representations Through Texts: Gardiner

You are to select a written text (novels, plays, biographies, autobiographies) OR a series of shorter texts such as poems, short stories, feature articles, blogs etc… OR view a substantial visual text (film, documentary etc…that will enable you to address ONE of the following options.

1. Investigate the appropriation or re-imagining of trauma response stories in written and visual texts. Compare the original story with the appropriated or re-imagined one. How does the appropriation change the original story? (for example: Room, Born on the 4th of July, Mystic River, The Fisher King)
2. Investigate how the historical, social or cultural contexts influence individuals’ responses to trauma in written and/or visual texts.
3. Investigate representations of responses to trauma in a culture of your choice.
4. Investigate representations of responses to trauma in a non-fiction text of your choice, exploring its relevance to a contemporary audience.

• You are to present your findings in essay form.
• Develop a focus of inquiry including 3-4 essential questions that will guide your research into the historical and social contexts of the text(s) you have selected.
• Give your essay an interesting title that reflects the focus of your investigation.
• Include a bibliography (a minimum of 10 sources) This should include appropriate academic sources. Websites such as Sparknotes and eNotes are not appropriate.