Paper : Juxtaposing Memoirs: When Marjane met Loung
In this unit, we have engaged with two works of literature very different from what we have been reading. Both these works are memoirs, personal testimonials by the authors of events they witnessed and experienced during violent upheaval and change in the revolutions of their respective countries. But genre is not the only aspect to potentially connect these two works; there are other points of contact which could possibly indicate or offer deeper meanings to either or both narratives. A way to discover theses possible connective points is to juxtapose the texts to one another. This means placing two (or more) works beside each other to see what similarities or difference may emerge to exhibit a deeper significance. Juxtaposition could be done at many different levels of the work (characterization, situation, language, concept, themes, etc.), but there is no need to discuss them all; it is best to select one aspect to observe and discuss its effectiveness within the operation of the texts. Both Persepolis and First They Killed My Father offer various aspects to observe; your task is to locate one which allows them to interact textually.
Assignment:
o First, choose one of the four prompts below:
1) Consider the two narrators of these two memoirs. How are their stories similar or different? How do those similarities or differences effect how they tell their stories, if at all? As characters, how do the events of the plot inform their characterization and evolution over the course of the narrative?
2) Both these narratives take place during a time of violent revolution in their respective countries, and while they are not simultaneous events, they do occur within the same era of upheaval in the 1970s and early 1980s. What does revolution look like in these two separate accounts-is it a singular event or an ongoing process?do the two works depict revolution in two different/similar manners? Is this significant? What is the effect of these treatments of revolution?
3) These works use two different forms to tell their stories: one is a graphic novel while the other is more of a traditional prose narrative. How does the difference in form effect the overall telling of either story? Do the differences in form highlight the advantages of one text over the other? Or do they emphasize the disadvantages of one form compared to the other? What is the significance in either case?
4) Is there an aspect of the two works you see as a point of contact and interaction that is not a listed option? Again, this could be anything that allows you to establish a conversation between the two works. What is that aspect? Where do you see it at work? How does it operate to potentially deepen your understanding of one or both of the texts further? Why is this significant/effective?
o Next, decide how you want to structure your juxtaposition: does one text act as a lens or frame to enable you to read the other in deeper, more clarifying way? Or do the two texts "mirror" each other and speak to a similar topic or display a literary convention in coinciding or deviating ways?
o Then, put your juxtaposition to work. Providetextual evidence from both works that exhibits the relationship you claim exists between the two texts.
• This means you must be able to use words, phrases, lines, and passages from the texts that show or speak to the concept or literary convention you have identified as "conversing" through the two texts
o Remember, you must analyze the evidence to show how it operatessimilarly or differently to emphasize or further elucidate one or both texts.
o This means you must think and write critically about how the texts working in tandemeffect a deeper meaning of the work as whole. This will require close, critical reading of the texts and their different aspects (i.e. characterization, symbolism, allusion, setting, narration, figurative language, repetition, etc.)
o Finally, you must speak to the larger significance of your observations. It's not enough to just notice how these texts interact; you must also be able to discuss why the interaction matters beyond mere coincidence.
Paper Requirements:
Critical writing elements:
o Paper must center on a coherent, cohesive, and consistent idea or thesis which must be clearly stated as the argument for your juxtaposition
o Paper must be presented in an organized, fluid structure which clearly argues your ideas for and displays the evidence of the interaction you see between the two texts
• This will include the use of clear topic sentences, transitional words and phrases, strong active language, etc.
Technical elements:
o Final polished paper draft must be typed, 5-8 pages, with 1-inch margins all around, double-spaced, and written in 12-point Times New Roman (or similar sized) font
o Pages must be numbered and stapled
o Paper must include a Works Cited page at the end
o All quotations and citations (and all other formatting) must follow MLA guidelines. If unsure, please consult the Purdue Online Writing
Lab: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/
Note: This paper does not require consultation of any outside secondary source material. The only sources of evidence allowed areFirst They Killed my Father and Persepolis. All papers are to include quotes/ideas from the memoirsonly to support your juxtaposition. The use of outside secondary materials is prohibited.
This is not an opportunity to describe anyone's work as good or bad, but an exercise in solidarity during the writing process. It helps to have eyes other than yours on the page to help guarantee your strongest possible paper
o I will provide a sheet to help guide review and commentary and maximize the benefit of the exercise to the student's paper
o A finished draft is not a final draft. Basically, what I am expecting is a workingdraft which houses a discernable idea/argument for juxtaposition of the two texts and presents evidence for that argument. I'm not expecting a fully formed, polished draft of amazingness-I'm not even expecting a full 5pgs or more (though you should definitely attempt to have at least 5pgs); but I will want to see a draft which we can discuss and strategize for in conferences. This means, you must produce a working draft that can be re-worked and revised in the next phase of the process.
Monday, November 14th:
o Drafts distributed back to students
o Read over the comments on your draft and prepare questions anddevise ideas/strategies on how to possibly move forward in the revision phase of the writing process for the paper
Wednesday, November 16th-Friday, November 18th:
o One-on-one conferences with me as pre-scheduled via the sign-up sheet
o Come prepared to discuss your questions and ideas/strategies for your paper revision
o This will also be an opportunity to share concerns, wonderings, and comments on the critical reading/writing process in general and how to potentially improve.