Harvard Extension School Expo E-25; Section 6 (7:30PM-9:30PM) Instructor: Julie Anne McNary Please check your Elluminate Audio Wizard; We will begin at 7:30PM.

Harvard University Extension School Spring Semester 2012 Expository Writing E25: Introduction to Academic Writing and Critical Reading Analyzing the Short Story

Overview Final Drafts of Essay #2 due this evening at midnight in the dropbox To that end, there are 3-4 of you to whom I owed clarifying comments (Irina, Kelli, M.B., etc.), so please stay after class. Choices for your Final Paper – Adaptation Assignment – class discussion. Essay 3 – Sample Papers Voting for how we spend 4/16-4/23.

Book-Film Comparisons for Essay #3 The Age of Innocence, novel by Edith Wharton and 1993 film of the same name Breakfast at Tiffany’s, novel by Truman Capote and 1961 film of the same name The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald and the 2008 film of the same name Election, novel by Tom Perrotta and the 1999 film of the same name Fight Club, novel by Chuck Palahniuk and the 1999 film of the same name The Great Gatsby, novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald and the 1974 film of the same name Little Children, novel Tom Perrotta and the 2006 film of the same name Mystic River, novel by Dennis Lehane and the 2003 film of the same name Gone Baby Gone, novel by Dennis Lehane and the film of the same name Push, novel by Sapphire and the 2009 film Precious, based thereupon Room with a View, novel by E.M. Forster and the 1985 film of the same name Twilight, novel by Stephanie Meyer and the 2008 film of the same name The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins and the 2012 film of the same name Suggestions from the class for 3 additional offerings will be considered. Extra Credit Options: Heart of Darkness, novella by Joseph Conrad, and the 1979 film Apocalypse Now based thereupon (must also use Hearts of Darkness: A filmmaker’s Apocalypse, as well) Little Women, novel by Louisa May Alcott, and two films of the same name (1949 and 1994) The Odyssey, poem by Homer, and the 2000 film O Brother, Were Art Thou? based thereupon. Where the Wild Things Are, children’s book by Maurice Sendak and 2009 film of the same name (must read the David Eggers screenplay, as well) Jane Eyre (book by Charlotte Bronte and any two film adaptations)

ESSAY #3: Adaptation Paper An Comparative Analysis of a Short Story, Novella, or Novel Adapted into a Feature-Length Film

Preliminary Class Choices Group discussion

The Structure of Your Final Paper First, you should briefly summarize the novel, short story, or novella you chose Second, summarize the film, playing more specific attention to the differences between the two. Thesis paragraph Body paragraphs organized in one of three ways: Topic/Theme specific – addressing both book/film Topic/Theme specific, but alternating – first addressing book, then film, and so on. Y-shaped – a few t/t-specific focused on book, followed by a few t/t specific focused on film, followed by a few focused on both. Regardless, all of the above would need topic sentence, evidence and analysis. Conclusion

Remember….

What is Adaptation? In their book, Adaptation: Studying Film and Literature, John Desmond and Peter Hawkes write that “adaptation is the transfer of a printed text in a literary genre into film.” “Even when the adapter attempts to transfer the original story to film as closely as possible, film is another medium with it’s own conventions, artistic values, and techniques, so the original text is transformed into another work of art.” “Adaptation, then, is an interpretation…” Microcosmic versus Macrocosmic Analyses of Adapted Texts and Films

The Problem of Adaptation From Story, by Robert McKee Three main media for telling stories: Prose (short stories, novels, etc.) Theatre (plays, musicals, opera, ballet, etc.) Screen (films and television) Novels/stories best dramatize inner conflict, shown through the language of thoughts, feelings, etc. Theatre best dramatizes personal conflict, show through pure dialogue (80% for the ear, 20% for the eye.) Films best dramatize projected extra-personal conflict; close-ups engage subtleties in facial expression, emotions, etc. that theatre cannot express. Dialogue becomes far more nuanced, etc. etc. Full exploration of human beings engaged with their setting, societies, etc. As an example of the difference, think of how quickly prose can be translated into a series of images, whereas it can take a thousand words to express the essence of one image.

Macrocosmic versus Microcosmic Analysis from Text to Film

Essay #3 – Exercise 3.1 – Plot Due in two weeks – 4/9 First read the book/story in question in detail and write a one-page plot summary thereof. Then, see the movie(s) in question and write a one-page plot summary thereof. JUST ON THE LEVEL OF PLOT, write a page or two about what the similarities and differences between the book/story and the film: Sequence of events (are they in the same order?) What scenes are left out, added, enhanced, diminished? Characters left out, added, enhanced, diminished? Setting changed, enhanced, diminished? Brainstorm for a paragraph or two about why the filmmakers might have made these decisions about plot, and how – in your opinion, those decisions strengthened, weakened, ruined, etc. the original story.

Essay #3 – Exercise 3.2 – Character – Due in Two Weeks – 4/9 After reading the book, focus in on the protagonist. Write a one-page character analysis thereof; i.e. a close-reading of this character alone. Then, after seeing the film, write a one-page character analysis of the protagonist therein. Then do the following: Write a list of all key characters in the book Write a list of all key characters in the film Take the top three characters in each and compare/contrast their respective roles. Consider the book the primary source and the film the secondary. How well does the film adhere to the book regarding character? do the characters in the book change in the film? are they used differently? Brainstorm about why the film makers may have made the decisions above about character.

Exercise 3.3 – Due in Three Weeks, 4/16 Write to very brief summaries of the book and film. Then choose three elements between the two that you would like to microanalyze (example: one character, one element of setting, one plot point, one scene; or any combination of the above). Make sure these three elements can be related to each other in some meaningful way to help you construct a larger macro-argument about the overall adaption you are studying. Write your Thesis Outline your body paragraphs (similar structure to E2) Conclusion should be a macro response to the above…

The Odyssey and Oh Brother, Where art thou? Character: Odysseus versus Ulysses Everett McGill Similarities: both tricksters, both leaders, both experience terrible luck, both cursed and pursued by a god-like figure (Poseidon and Sherriff Cooley). Differences: Odysseus was protected and aided by Athena, Odysseus was a King, Odysseus was a warrior, Odysseus was of noble birth, etc. etc. Setting: Ancient Greece versus Mississippi during the Great Depression Plot point: Odysseus is plagued by floods and the sea; whereas Everett is “saved” by a flood. Plot point: Odysseus wins his wife back, whereas Everett does not fully do so…or at least we are left unsure, because of the missing ring.

Potential Unifying Themes Nobility and a Sense of Honor versus Desperation and Materialism Luck versus Accountability Loyalty versus the lack thereof; i.e. what traits in Odysseus’ character engender such loyalty, versus the traits in Everett’s character that do not… Honor versus Materialism The influence of humor in both stories

Essay 3 Class Samples

Class Vote on 4/16-4/23 Option A: We have class, and despite vast differences in projects, try to find a common ground. Option B: Depending on the projects you have chosen, we break the class time up into half-hour sessions, during which we meet in small groups. Option C: we cancel class, and work solo, but each of you must agree to schedule an “uber” conference with me – 1 hour plus.