Cultural Studies

Cultural Studies Order Description have discussed several major literary themes encompassed in the field of cultural studies. New Historicism, Magic Realism, Feminism, Minority Discourse, and Gender Performance, are just a few of the major lenses with which we can examine the texts we have read throughout this course. For your final paper you should choose a critical lens (you may choose one of the ones we have explored, or use the multidisciplinary lens of cultural studies itself) and analyze at least two of the works reviewed in this course. (Pick One from Each Group to write the paper on: Readings/Plays:The Handsomest Drowned Man in the World by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Sweat by Zora Neale Hurston, A Good Man is Hard to Find by Flannery O’Conner, Fences by August Wilson, A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry Poems: Morning Song by Sylvia Plath, Fever 103 Degrees by Sylvia Plath, American Smooth by Rita Dove, Siren Song by Margaret Atwood, Owl Song by Margaret Atwood, The House was just Twinkling in the Moon Light by Gertrude Stein) (Each work must be from a separate genre (for example one short story and one play, or a play and a poem). In your analysis, identify and define the critical lens you are using and discuss both works in light of that lens by comparing and contrasting each work to the other. Make sure you include elements such as tone, setting, narrative voice, symbolism and the prominent social/cultural issues in your analysis as well.