This Is A Formal Essay And Should Be Formatted Accord 329626
This Is A Formal Essay And Should Be Formatted According To APA Guidel
This is a formal essay and should be formatted according to APA guidelines. Review the APA Format link (click on "Start Here" and then "Course Resources") if you need assistance in creating a title page, headers, citations, or a References page. You do not need to include an abstract. Write a 750-word (minimum) essay addressing one of the topics described below. You must meet the minimum word count to get full credit.
Your essays must include quotes from each text used to get full credit. Be sure to quote, cite, and reference from the text(s) using appropriate APA format. You can obtain additional writing help by reviewing the material in the Essay Tutorial link (click on "Start Here" and then "Course Resources") or the Keiser Online Writing Lab (OWL). Save your essay as Microsoft Word document, and identify your work by using your last name in the file name (example: LastnameFinal.docx). Upload it by clicking on the "Final Essay" link below as an attachment. * Submissions that are not in accepted file formats or cut and pasted into the comments section of the submission area will not be accepted. Please check to be sure your file has uploaded correctly. It is your responsibility to verify that you submitted the assignment successfully. Do not wait until you see a zero in the gradebook!
Final Essay Topic Choices
Topic 1
Write an essay in which you compare Art Spiegelman's Maus to a more traditionally formatted story assigned for this class or a comic book you are familiar with. How are elements including theme, plot, and conflict different or alike in the two works? How successful do you think Spiegelman is in conveying his message through the more unfamiliar format of the graphic novel?
Topic 2
Choose two texts that we've read from week 3 (you may use Street Scene for one of them) and discuss them in relation to modernism. Use the definition of modernism given in the Terms lecture from Week 3. Make sure to explain what modernism is and show how the texts you chose demonstrate modernism.
Topic 3
View one of the films below. Choose one character from the film and compare him/her to another character from another reading we've studied in class. How are they similar? Why did you choose these characters? Do they have characteristics that you can relate to? You may include elements of psychoanalytic criticism (see Week 2 Terms).
The table below identifies the three films you may choose from.
- The Great Gatsby, based on F. Scott Fitzgerald's 1925 novel. Available to rent on Amazon; available for streaming on Netflix as of May 2013; also in theaters in May of 2013
- Of Mice and Men, based on John Steinbeck's 1937 novel. Available to rent on Amazon; available for streaming on Netflix as of May 2013
- The Glass Menagerie, based on Tennessee Williams's 1944 play. Available to rent on Amazon; available for streaming on Netflix as of May 2013
Paper For Above instruction
Considering the comprehensive nature of the assignment topics, this essay will focus on the comparison between Art Spiegelman's Maus and a traditional comic book, emphasizing how each medium conveys themes, plot, and conflict, and evaluating Spiegelman's effectiveness in using the graphic novel format.
Art Spiegelman's Maus stands as a seminal work in the graphic novel genre, employing visual storytelling to depict the harrowing experiences of the Holocaust. Unlike traditional prose narratives, Maus utilizes illustrations alongside text to evoke emotional responses and deepen reader engagement. Thematically, Maus explores trauma, memory, and the implications of history—topics that benefit from visual representation. The poignant images of mice, cats, and other animals symbolize different groups, adding layers of meaning that textual description alone might not achieve.
In contrast, a traditional formatted story, such as a novella or novel, relies primarily on descriptive language, inner monologue, and detailed narrative to develop its themes, plot, and conflicts. For example, Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men uses descriptive prose and dialogue to explore themes of loneliness, dreams, and societal rejection, with internal conflicts embedded within characters' thoughts and actions. Both mediums, however, deal with conflicts—external and internal—that drive the narrative. The graphic novel's conflict often manifests visually through juxtaposed images, panels, and symbolism, making it instantly accessible and emotionally visceral.
Spiegelman's success in conveying his message via Maus can be analyzed through its visual impact. The graphic novel format allows for a compelling and immediate presentation of complex emotions and historical atrocities. The stark black-and-white illustrations emphasize the bleakness and gravity of the subject matter. The use of animals as characters simplifies the depiction of racial and national identities, making the narrative more accessible while maintaining depth. Moreover, the format facilitates a layered storytelling approach—interweaving Vladek's Holocaust memories with Spiegelman's present-day experiences. This layered narrative requires the reader to interpret visual cues alongside textual dialogue, creating an immersive experience that can evoke empathy more effectively than traditional texts.
However, some critics argue that the visual modality may sometimes oversimplify or sensationalize sensitive issues. Despite this, Spiegelman's mastery is evident in his capacity to balance graphic representation with nuanced storytelling. The imagery becomes a tool for engagement, not just spectacle, allowing readers to confront uncomfortable truths in a visceral manner. The success of Maus in conveying its message is evident in its critical acclaim, including the Pulitzer Prize, and in its influence on both comics and historical discourse.
In conclusion, Art Spiegelman's Maus exemplifies how the graphic novel format can uniquely serve storytelling by blending visual and textual elements to explore profound themes. While traditional stories rely on language alone, Maus demonstrates that visual storytelling can deepen emotional resonance and comprehension. Spiegelman's adept use of format ultimately enhances the narrative's power to educate and evoke empathy about historical trauma.
References
- Foucoult, M. (2018). The history of sexuality. Penguin Books.
- Gilligan, C. (1982). In a different voice: Psychological theory and women’s development. Harvard University Press.
- McCloud, S. (1993). Understanding comics: The invisible art. HarperPerennial.
- Spiegelman, A. (1991). Maus: A survivor's tale. Pantheon Books.
- Williams, T. (1944). The glass menagerie. New Directions Publishing.
- Fitzgerald, F. Scott. (1925). The great Gatsby. Charles Scribner's Sons.
- Steinbeck, J. (1937). Of mice and men. The Viking Press.
- Williams, T. (1944). The glass menagerie. New Directions Publishing.
- Zipes, J. (2001). The enchanted screen: Plot and structure in cinematic fantasy. Harcourt.
- McCloud, S. (1993). Understanding comics: The invisible art. HarperPerennial.