Assignment:
This assignment asks you to examine the relationship between an original piece and modern retelling -either the story is updated to be set in modern setting (The Lego Movie contains many references to Greek mythology) or the story is set in antiquity but framed for a modern audience (Troy contains many changes to character, for example). Retellings may include comic books, video games, movies, or television shows. Begin by choosing one original story from the ancient world. Next, you should compare the original piece with the retelling. What differences exist? What stayed the same? Why, or how do those similarities and differences reflect the culture and audiences consuming the story.
Once you have clarified the relationship between the source and the retelling, you will evaluate and analyze the choices made in retelling the original story. You will need to think carefully about the original text's rhetorical situation and the rhetorical situation of the retelling. You need to go beyond the good/bad binary or whether or not you like the retelling. You should research at least two scholars' understanding of the original story, the retelling, or both.
The essay should be an analysis which uses specific details from the original story and the retelling. Those details should be cited.
Original Story: 1. "The Hero Twins" 2. "The Story of Cúchulainn" 3. "The Epic of Gilgamesh" 4."The Odyssey"
Requirements
Engagement with at least one story from this class and a modern retelling of that story.
Brief summaries of the two versions of the story you select
Clear analysis of the similarities and differences
A discussion of the significance of each version of the story
Use language appropriate for literature (characters, plot, symbols, audience, etc)
Find, evaluate, and use at least two scholarly sources to support your analysis (You must make a connection between the scholars' claims and your ideas.)
4 to 5 pages of writing + a reference page
Double spaced
12 pt font
1" margins
MLA or APA citations (in text and on the reference page)
Your reference page should contain at least four entries (the original story, the modern retelling, and two scholarly sources)