Research
Component
The paper must be
4-6 pages in length. It should be typed double-spaced, in 12-point font, with
1-inch margins on all sides. Some of the fonts I prefer are Times New Roman,
Calabria, or Arial. It must have both a cover page and a Works Cited page using
proper MLA style. The cover and Works Cited pages are NOT part of the 4-6
pages.
You must use at
least two secondary research sources (beyond the story or stories/poems/play
you’re analyzing) to help build the case for your interpretation. A secondary
source may NOT be another story or nonliterary source, but rather is an
academic article or book discussing the author, the story, or related literary
issues. Your research sources need to be useful, intelligent sources that fully
meet the requirements of “legitimate academic sources.”
The key to this
assignment is developing an original thesis statement regarding your choice.
Make sure to structure your paper with a series of topic sentences that
directly connect back to this thesis statement. Then use your own textual
analysis as well as research (i.e. literary criticism) to investigate and
ultimately “prove” your thesis.
I strongly
recommend using the library databases for this research. There are links in the
course and faculty librarians who can help you access the databases. Literature
Resource Center is one such database; Short Story Criticism is one useful
academic resource. Absolutely no sparknotes, enotes, Wikipedia, or other
.com and unscholarly sources allowed. If these sources are used, the paper
will fail.
I WILL NOT ACCEPT
ANY PLAGIARIZED PAPER. NOR WILL I ACCEPT ANY PAPER THAT HAS BEEN PUT TOGETHER
WITH AI, CHATGPT, ETC. I RUN EVERY SINGLE PAPER THROUGH SEVERAL PROGRAMS TO
DETECT ANY ISSUES. YOU WILL RECEIVE A ZERO IF I FIND ANYTHING THAT IS
SUSPICIOUS.
Without fully
meeting this research requirement, you cannot receive a passing grade on this
paper, so please use the research process as a way to help build an insightful,
complex analysis, not merely as a way of “shoving in” quotes into an
otherwise developed paper. In other words, use research to build and add nuance
to your ideas rather than to merely meet a minimum requirement.
For my research paper I pick “The Hunger Games”
Theme: The Hunger Games is a critique of societal imbalances and the outcomes of desensitization to violence.
Imagery: I read this book when I was 14 and I can still remember most of it. The way Collins brings the world of Panem to life is beautiful.
Symbolism: The first symbolism that came to my mind after picking this book was The Mockingjay: A Symbol of Rebellion and Hope.
Life lesson taught in the work: One of the key life lessons in the book is the importance of compassion, humanity, and standing up for what is right, even in the face of overwhelming adversity.
Reasons for Banning: Sadly, The Hunger Games is primarily banned due to its violent content and themes.
Thesis Statement:
In ‘The Hunger Games’ by Suzanne Collins, the vivid imagery, rich symbolism, and stark thematic critique of societal imbalances and desensitization to violence serve not only as a dystopian narrative but also as a reflective mirror to our society’s own flaws. Through the symbol of the Mockingjay, representing rebellion and hope, and the portrayal of the consequences of societal disparity and violence, Collins underscores the paramount importance of compassion, humanity, and moral integrity. This analysis explores how despite being banned in certain circles for its depiction of violence, ‘The Hunger Games’ offers crucial life lessons about standing up for justice and the power of individual agency in challenging oppressive systems.
Preliminary Bibliography
Cochran, Tanya R. “Re-reading The Hunger Games: Suzanne Collins’ Defamiliarization of the First-Person Present Tense Narrative.” Critique: Studies in Contemporary Fiction, vol. 57, no. 5, 2016, pp. 565-578.
Heneghan, Bridgette, and Angela Laflen. “Teaching and Learning Dystopia and Utopia in High School ELA: The Case of ‘The Hunger Games’.” English Journal, vol. 104, no. 5, 2015, pp. 67-72.
Smythe, Karen. “Mockingjay: Symbol of Rebellion.” In Symbols and Society: Essays on Belief Systems in Action, edited by James A. Aho, Southern Anthropological Society, 2019, pp. 131-144.
Broad, Rebecca. “The Politics of The Hunger Games.” Journal of Politics and International Relations, vol. 22, no. 1, 2017, pp. 135-149.
Jones, Rodney H. “Desensitization to Violence in The Hunger Games: A Study of Media Exposure and Audience Anticipation.” Media Psychology Review, vol. 14, no. 2, 2020, pp. 22-35.
Connors, Sean P. “Critical Literacy and the Ethics of Reading: Exploring Textual Violence in The Hunger Games.” Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, vol. 58, no. 7, 2015, pp. 577-585.
Thesis Statement
Suzanne Collins’ “The Hunger Games” is a multifaceted critique of modern society, employing vivid imagery, potent symbolism, and impactful life lessons to explore themes of inequality, desensitization to violence, and the moral imperatives of compassion and resistance. Despite its educational value, the novel’s controversial depiction of violence has led to its banning, which ironically underscores the very themes of censorship and control it seeks to expose.
Outline
Introduction
Introduction to “The Hunger Games” and its significant impact on readers and society.
Presentation of thesis statement.
Critique of Societal Imbalances
Discussion of the dystopian society of Panem as a mirror to real-world inequalities.
Analysis of how the division between the Capitol and the districts represents socio-economic and political disparities.
Desensitization to Violence
Examination of the televised spectacle of the games and its role in normalizing violence for both characters within the book and its readers.
Contrast between the Capitol’s voyeuristic enjoyment of the games and the districts’ forced acceptance.
Imagery in “The Hunger Games”
Description of how Collins vividly portrays the stark differences between the decadence of the Capitol and the squalor of the districts.
Exploration of the role of setting in enhancing the thematic depth of the narrative.
Symbolism of the Mockingjay
Analysis of the Mockingjay as a symbol of rebellion and hope within the narrative.
Discussion of how this symbol evolves and influences the characters and plot.
Life Lessons in the Work
Exploration of the themes of compassion and humanity, highlighting key moments where characters exhibit these traits.
Discussion on the importance of standing up for what is right, as demonstrated by Katniss Everdeen and other characters.
Controversy and Banning
Overview of the reasons behind the banning of “The Hunger Games,” focusing on its violent content.
Argument on how banning the book reflects the themes of control and suppression within the novel itself.
Conclusion
