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?