Write A Comparative Argument

write A Comparative Argu

CWL 100 – Essay 2 – Spring 2020 ESSAY #2 PROMPT Write a comparative argumentative critical analysis that responds to one of the following in a 1,000-1,200 word essay: â– The relevance of notions presented in Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave†regarding concepts, ideas, and notions explored in Franz Kafka’s Metamorphosis and A. Igoni Barrett’s Blackass. â– The relationship between the development of one’s personal identity and one’s cultural identity in Franz Kafka’s Metamorphosis and A. Igoni Barrett’s Blackass. You must include proper usage of our literary vocabulary terms throughout your essay. Notes Note #1: Remember to keep your essay focused on the specific works being asked about. Note #2: Remember, if/when appropriate, it is acceptable to include supportive thoughts pertaining to additional works examined in class, such as music, images, etc., and thoughts expressed in our theoretical discussions. Guidelines This essay is to adhere to MLA style guidelines, and is to be typed in 12-point font with 1†margins all around and double-spacing throughout.

Paper For Above instruction

The prompt for this academic essay invites a comprehensive comparative analysis of two literary works, engaging with either the philosophical implications of Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave” as related to Franz Kafka’s Metamorphosis and A. Igoni Barrett’s Blackass, or the exploration of personal versus cultural identity in the same texts. For this essay, I chose to analyze the relationship between personal and cultural identity development as depicted in Kafka’s Metamorphosis and Barrett’s Blackass. This exploration will involve applying critical literary terminology to deepen the analysis and highlight the nuanced ways these authors portray identity transformation amidst societal and cultural pressures.

Franz Kafka’s Metamorphosis is a profound narrative that examines the individual's transformation and subsequent alienation, with a focus on how personal identity becomes destabilized in the face of external forces. Gregor Samsa’s sudden metamorphosis into a monstrous insect serves as a metaphor for the dehumanizing aspects of modern society, emphasizing how personal identity is contingent upon social roles and perceptions. Kafka employs symbolism and existential themes, illustrating how Gregor’s physical transformation leads to an erosion of his self-identity, emphasizing the fluidity and fragile nature of personal identity when confronted with societal expectations.

In contrast, A. Igoni Barrett’s Blackass explores racial and cultural identity through the lens of satire and magical realism. The protagonist’s accidental transformation into a Black man in a predominantly white society provides a satirical commentary on racial stereotypes, cultural authenticity, and societal acceptance. Barrett uses humor, irony, and allegory to critique social constructions of race, exposing how cultural identity is often mediated and manipulated by societal norms. The protagonist’s transformation acts as a catalyst for self-reflection and reveals the fluidity and constructed nature of cultural identity in contemporary settings.

Both texts utilize transformation as a narrative device, but with differing emphases: Kafka’s focus on internal, personal upheaval, and Barrett’s on external, cultural performance. Kafka’s Gregor experiences alienation and loss of agency as his physical form diverges from the societal identity he once held, illustrating the destructive potential when personal identity is externally imposed or altered. Conversely, Barrett’s character navigates societal expectations by embodying an altered racial identity, which forces an interrogative stance on authenticity and societal perception, highlighting the performative aspects of cultural identity and the importance of self-awareness.

In analyzing these works, it is essential to employ literary concepts such as alienation, symbolism, irony, and identity. Kafka’s use of symbolism (Gregor’s transformation) and existentialist themes illustrate the alienation of the individual from society and self. Barrett’s use of irony and allegory serve to challenge stereotypes and societal constructs, revealing the performative nature of cultural identities. Both authors, through their narrative techniques, critique the societal pressures that influence the formation and perception of identities—personal or cultural—exposing the often fluid and constructed nature of these identities.

Furthermore, the comparative analysis reveals that both texts underscore the importance of self-awareness in the face of societal impositions. Kafka presents a tragic view of identity loss, emphasizing vulnerability and disconnection, whereas Barrett offers a more satirical perspective, highlighting the performative and socially constructed facets of cultural representation. This dichotomy enhances our understanding of how identity can be both a personal internal construct and a social performance, shaped by external influences but ultimately subject to individual reflection and agency.

In conclusion, Kafka’s Metamorphosis and Barrett’s Blackass serve as potent narratives examining the fluidity and complexity of identity. While Kafka depicts the fragility of personal identity amidst existential crises and societal alienation, Barrett exposes the performative and often deceptive nature of cultural identities shaped by social stereotypes and norms. Through close analysis employing literary vocabulary, this essay demonstrates how both works critique the societal pressures that influence identity, emphasizing the crucial role of self-awareness and critical reflection in understanding and navigating identity in modern society.

References

• Kafka, Franz. Meta­morphosis. Translated by David Wyllie, Oxford University Press, 2007.
• Barrett, A. Igoni. Blackass. Grip Publishing, 2013.
• Norris, Christopher. What is Philosophy? Harvard University Press, 2002.
• Greenblatt, Stephen. Figural Germany: Cultural Identity and the Politics of Memory. University of Pennsylvania Press, 2006.
• Lentricchia, Frank. Critical Modernism: Literary Knowledge and Cultural Change. University of Chicago Press, 1990.
• Cushman, Philip, and Michael S. Roth. Critical Theories of Race and Racism. Taylor & Francis, 2006.
• Chun, Wendy Hui. Control and Freedom: Power and Paranoia in the Age of Anxiety. MIT Press, 2006.
• Said, Edward. Orientalism. Vintage Books, 1978.
• Hall, Stuart. "The Spectacle of the Other." In Representation: Cultural Representations and Signifying Practices, edited by Stuart Hall, et al., Sage, 1997, pp. 225-279.
• Belsey, Catherine. Critical Practice. Routledge, 2002.