World Literature Paper Topics

World Literature Paper Topics IBS English 2012 Session

Topics • Min Sik Choi: Women’s role and treatment towards them in Oedipus the Rex and a Doll’s House – Who are the women? – What is the role that they play? Positive or negative? – Women’s role as a wife---maintain the family

• Tom Lee: How forms of plays, tragedy and comedy, apply to real life. • Robert Lee: How does the self consciousness of main characters of the plays influence ending?

Topic • Tom Lee: How forms of plays, tragedy and comedy, apply to real life. – Which plays? – Though the situations are exaggerated, the characters’ reactions to suffering are realistic – How are the messages applicable to real life?

Robert • How does the self consciousness of main characters of the plays influence ending? – Oedipus Rex & A Doll’s House – Characters are unaware of their identity – Both are in search of their identity – Knowing oneself is important because…

Jessica Lee • Edmond Rostand’s Cyrano de Bergerac v. Henrik Ibsen’s Nora Helmer: the sacrifices of one-sided love – Nora sacrifices herself; Cyrano sacrifices himself – Compare their sacrifices to show that … – What is the fruit of the sacrifice – What is the message of the writers

Aaron • Why did Henrik Ibsen choose Christmas week as a setting for the play “A Doll House”, and how does this effect Nora in the story?

Bing • The importance of minor characters in Oedipus Rex, A Doll’s House • Reveal information—messenger and shepherd reveal Oedipus’s past; maid tells Nora that children will be cared for • What does the use of minor characters suggest? • Explain the significant role of minor characters.

Kwang Eun • How do the female characters affect the outcome of the plays (Oedipus Rex, A Doll’s House, and Cyrano de Bergerac) – Influential role---to advance plot – Creates conflict – How they support the male characters? – Are they positive or negative portrayals?

Ryota: • How does plot structure develop a character’s identity. – A Doll’s House and Oedipus Rex – Plot---conflicts reveal the true identities of the characters---actions of the character reveal their true nature – Characters: Oedipus and Nora

Allen • Symbolism in “A Doll’s House” and “Cyrano de Bergerac” – White plume: bravery, honor, pride, passion – Doll house: not real, lived as a “plaything”, puppet, under another’s control – Symbols reflect character

Tommy • How does the writer use tragedy to affect the character?

Aaron • What is the role and the influence of Duenna and the maid (A Doll’s House)? – Explain the significance of each character to the plot, character development, or conflict – Relationship with the main characters

Danny • Transition of love ---A Doll’s House and Cyrano de Bergerac – The changing nature of love – Revelations of truth of character

Daniel • How does the time period of the play affect the severity of the oppression of women? – Nora – Oedipus? ---How is Iocasta oppressed?