368 Final Project

Fall 2009

Option A: Write a narratological analysis of a text concentrating on the distinction between story and plot. Write an accurate summary of the story itself, and follow this with a precise, nuanced, and well-developed analysis of how the particular plot creates perspective, desire, and meaning by manipulating the presentation of the story. As you make distinctions and observations, be sure to ground yourself in the theory we have read that supports your work. Throughout, reflect also on how the presentation handles the problem of time. Such analysis works particularly well with plots that play with chronological orders (Pulp Fiction, Citizen Kane) or complexly framed narratives (Nabokov's Pale Fire, Conrad's Heart of Darkness, The Arabian Nights, etc). 8-12 pages.

Option B: Adapt a short narrative text (a parable, folk tale, fairytale, fable) into a visual form—either a comic or a short film. Your adaptation must be accompanied by an authors “Afterward” in which you reflect on the issues of narratology. These should include the challenges of understanding the story beyond any particular plot, serious reflection on how your medium handles the problems of cause-and-effect, point-of-view, and time. While the adaptation will vary depending on medium and scope, the “Afterword” should be 4-6 pages grounded in the theory we have read this semester.

Option C: As we see from The Arabian Nights, the response to one story is often another story. Choose an influential and well-known narrative and write a new story in response to it. Your new story should address fundamental ideological problems or ironies you see in the first story. While you might write a totally original story, you may find it more productive and grounding to tell the same story in a new way. For instance, you might rewrite Hamlet from the perspective of Ophelia or Vertigo from the perspective of Madelyn. Your adaptation must be accompanied by an authors “Afterward” in which you reflect on the issues of narratology. These should include the challenges of understanding the story beyond any particular plot, serious and considered reflection on how your new story handles the problems of cause-and-effect, point-of-view, and time, and some suggestion of how this new treatment resolves a problem in the original. While the length of your story will vary, your “Afterword” should be 4-6 pages grounded in the theory we have read this semester.

Presentation: Any work presented as text must be double-spaced, neatly typed, and follow all the norms of MLA style. You must also include a complete and properly formatted “Works Cited” list.

Prospectus: A 1-2 page overview of your project is due November 5^th, though you can turn one in earlier. You cannot begin your project until your prospectus is approved.

Due Dates. Whatever option you choose, you must have a complete draft of your project done by our first workshop on November 19^th.