Discovering Gender
websites
Cabot, Meggin and Pierce, Tamora. Sheroes Central. http://www.sheroescentral.com/ Only 20% of books published today have female heroes This discussion board is a place for fans of female heroes around the world to recommend texts, critique popular culture or air an opinion. Get a feel for the types of composers using the site, analyse the way the discussion threads are grouped and then start looking at a couple of members and the way they are using the site to express themselves (eg register, vocabulary, ideas). You may even get some ideas for adventure stories to use as related texts
New Moon Magazine http://www.newmoon.com/ This is the website community of an amazing magazine edited (and mostly written) by girls aged 8-14. It very girl-power and includes places to complain about sexism or celebrate girls’ achievements as well as support diversity of all descriptions. The price for membership is because there is no advertising but you don’t have to be a member to enter the site. Have a look at the “future issues” section to see if you’ve written anything that suits their themes. Discuss the colours, fonts and layout in relation to the intended audience. Choose 5-6 important elements of content which relate closely to discovery, especially the users discovery of what it means to be a “girl”.
20 most Iconic Femiist Moments of 2013 [http://mic.com/articles/76145/28-most-iconic-feminist-moments-of-2013]. If you are douing this as a text, you will need to descide what you can discover about feminism from this site - what makes something feminist? are some moments more feminist than others? Should Beyonce calling herself feminist be compared to Malala calling for ther world to guarantee girls access to education?
New Moon Magazine http://www.newmoon.com/ This is the website community of an amazing magazine edited (and mostly written) by girls aged 8-14. It very girl-power and includes places to complain about sexism or celebrate girls’ achievements as well as support diversity of all descriptions. The price for membership is because there is no advertising but you don’t have to be a member to enter the site. Have a look at the “future issues” section to see if you’ve written anything that suits their themes. Discuss the colours, fonts and layout in relation to the intended audience. Choose 5-6 important elements of content which relate closely to discovery, especially the users discovery of what it means to be a “girl”.
20 most Iconic Femiist Moments of 2013 [http://mic.com/articles/76145/28-most-iconic-feminist-moments-of-2013]. If you are douing this as a text, you will need to descide what you can discover about feminism from this site - what makes something feminist? are some moments more feminist than others? Should Beyonce calling herself feminist be compared to Malala calling for ther world to guarantee girls access to education?
Speeches
Boushnak, Laura. (2015). "Reading is a Daring Act". Imagine dropping out of school at eight to get married or being unable to read your boyfriend's text messages. This Ted Talks speech by an Arab photographer highlights the power of reading as a subversive (=rebel) act. Look in particular at the structure and the way she uses anecdotes to make points about the use of power in society. Please be aware that these are not the experiences of all Arab or Muslim women; don't fall into the trap of racial stereotypes. Recommended for standard and ESL students.
Gay, Roxane. (2015). "Confessions of a Bad Feminist". This speech discusses the reality of living as a C21st woman with feminist ideals in an inherently sexist culture. You can read or watch it on Ted Talks [https://www.ted.com/talks/roxane_gay_confessions_of_a_bad_feminist/transcript?language=en] Look at the way she identifies certain acts as "transgressions" against her feminist ideals and the humour with which she presents the contradictions of her life, and the criticisms she makes about the way we regard feminists. What can we discover about our own lives from her confessions? What techniques does she employ to keep us listening/discovering?
Truth, Sojourner. (19). “Ain’t I a woman”. One of the first feminist speeches by a American Black woman to a mostly white audience. Many of her points would have been very shocking to a White middle class audience, enabling them to discover new perspectives on their society.
Emma Watson's speech to the UN Gender Equality is your issue too. [http://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2014/9/emma-watson-gender-equality-is-your-issue-too]
Yousafzais, Malala Nobel Prize acceptance speech, 2014. [http://ibnlive.in.com/news/full-text-of-malala-yousafzais-speech-at-united-nations/406812-2.html]
Gay, Roxane. (2015). "Confessions of a Bad Feminist". This speech discusses the reality of living as a C21st woman with feminist ideals in an inherently sexist culture. You can read or watch it on Ted Talks [https://www.ted.com/talks/roxane_gay_confessions_of_a_bad_feminist/transcript?language=en] Look at the way she identifies certain acts as "transgressions" against her feminist ideals and the humour with which she presents the contradictions of her life, and the criticisms she makes about the way we regard feminists. What can we discover about our own lives from her confessions? What techniques does she employ to keep us listening/discovering?
Truth, Sojourner. (19). “Ain’t I a woman”. One of the first feminist speeches by a American Black woman to a mostly white audience. Many of her points would have been very shocking to a White middle class audience, enabling them to discover new perspectives on their society.
Emma Watson's speech to the UN Gender Equality is your issue too. [http://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2014/9/emma-watson-gender-equality-is-your-issue-too]
Yousafzais, Malala Nobel Prize acceptance speech, 2014. [http://ibnlive.in.com/news/full-text-of-malala-yousafzais-speech-at-united-nations/406812-2.html]
songs
Pink “Stupid Girl”. [Watch it online at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wSyhXCPh5M]This song critiques popular representations of the ‘stupid girl’ in the media and the video explicitly criticises the media’s role in sexualising young girls and creating body image problems such as bulimia. Discuss the juxtaposition of feminist ideas (eg “presendient”) with traditional ‘stupid girl’ roles (“dancing next to 50cent”), and the impact of casting Pink as both the ‘stupid’ girls with sexy moves and the intelligent feminist singing the song. Try to trace all the pop culture references in the video and discuss the way they are juxtaposed with the innocent girl in front of the television, which enables us to discover some important lessons about stereotyping and media representation of girls..
short stories
Al-Shaykh, Hanan. (1994). “A girl called Apple” in I sweep the Sun off rooftops. Apple lies in a village where girls’ only option is to get married. Discuss the symbolism of apple’s name and of the flags and relate this to her attempts at self discovery as she negotiates a place in her family and community.
Baynton, Barbara. (). “A Dreamer” in Bush Studies. Set in colonial Australia, this story depicts the Australian landscape as an destructive force that divides the protagonist from those she loves. Analyse the way the landscape and weather symbolise the protagonist’s psychological state, and discuss the force of love which gives her courage to discover a way to overcome all obstacles as well as the irony of the ending
Hererra, Susana, (2000). “Jum Boo Nah” in A woman’s path: women’s best spiritual travel writing. (Belonging folder at 820.9) Describes the alienation of a Western woman on holiday in an African village, and the moment she discoversself- acceptance, a feeling of being “in her skin”. Analyse the things which lead her to feel “other” than the women she obviously finds fascinating, and the way the same image is presented differently after she discovers a connection. Focus on the sensory imagery common in all travel writing, the use of foreign words in italics and the internal monologue that lets you know what she’s thinking at a particular moment.
Baynton, Barbara. (). “A Dreamer” in Bush Studies. Set in colonial Australia, this story depicts the Australian landscape as an destructive force that divides the protagonist from those she loves. Analyse the way the landscape and weather symbolise the protagonist’s psychological state, and discuss the force of love which gives her courage to discover a way to overcome all obstacles as well as the irony of the ending
Hererra, Susana, (2000). “Jum Boo Nah” in A woman’s path: women’s best spiritual travel writing. (Belonging folder at 820.9) Describes the alienation of a Western woman on holiday in an African village, and the moment she discoversself- acceptance, a feeling of being “in her skin”. Analyse the things which lead her to feel “other” than the women she obviously finds fascinating, and the way the same image is presented differently after she discovers a connection. Focus on the sensory imagery common in all travel writing, the use of foreign words in italics and the internal monologue that lets you know what she’s thinking at a particular moment.
novels
Abdel-Fattah. Randa. Does My Head Look Big in This? Traces the experiences of a year 12 Muslim student, Amal, after she decides to wear the hijab to her local (and very Anglo) high school. There’s lots to discuss here - Amal, Simone and Layla have very different experiences Islam. Focus on cultural symbols, the colloquial and very perceptive first person narration, the way the dialogue characterises different experiences of belonging, and the use of humour to include the reader. The review at http://www.theblurb.com.au/Issue57/DMHLBIT.htm shows and Anglo reader’s response. http://epress.lib.uts.edu.au/ojs/index.php/TfC/article/view/598/559 has an interesting academic essay which analyses the novel from feminist and postcolonial perspectives. This could be useful for advanced students who want to develop a more complex argument about spiritual discovery. (see Ms Carmyn or your English teacher if you want to know more about these theories).
Ayoub, Sarah. (2013). Hate is such as strong word is a coming of age novel about a Lebanese girl living in Sydney aropund the time of the Cronulla riots. Sophie comes from a traditional Lebanese family and attends a Maronite school. When half-White-Australian Sherhadie enrolls at her school, the entire community to bound to discover their own stereeotypes and biases as racial conflict escalates. Read Sarah's comments here [http://www.theguardian.com/books/australia-books-blog/2014/nov/27/migrant-teens-deserve-their-own-young-adult-fiction?CMP=share_btn_tw]
Blackman, Marjorie. Boys don't Cry. While he waits for his A-level (English HSC equivalent) results, Dante's long-forgotten one-night-stand turns up - with a baby! Needless to say, his carefully planned life falls apart as he discovers what it is to be a father. Focus on the way the story is told from two different viewpoints (Dante and his brother Adam) and the discoveries the boys make about fatherhood, each other and societal attitudes to teen parenting. Recommended for standard students who enjoy an emotional ride!
Cronn-Mills, Kirstin. Beautiful Music for Ugly Children. Existing at school as her birth-self, Elizabeth, Gabe develops a expresses his a male persona when he hosts the community radio show Beautiful Music for Ugly Children. Pay close attention to the symbolism of songs and to the self-discovery process reflected in Gabe's opening speeches each show. You might also wish to comment about the use of first person and internal monologue which encourages the (presumably cis-gender) reader to discover a transgender identity.
Drinkwater, Carol. Twentieth Century Girl. This diary-style novel depicts English women’s fight to discover her political identity – by voting. Discuss the way the author uses sensory description, rhetorical questions and colloquial dialogue to create a personal and emotional connection to the historical facts, allowing an audience living over a century later to re-evaluate the contribution of these courageous women. Recommended for standard students only.
Moriarty, Jaclyn. Feeling Sorry for Celia. This novel is a humorous collection of (letters, notes and other ‘scraps’ of Celia’s life which illustrate the connections between Cellia and her divorced parents, best friend and pen pal at a local school. Analyse the way the reader interacts with the unusual (postmodern) structure, and the language features of the difference character’s ‘voices’. Pay special attention to the way satirical letters from organisations such as The Cold Hard Truth Society and The Association of Teenagers which exist only within Celia’s mind represent her “discoveries” of the unwritten codes of adolescent behaviour. A deceptively simple book which could be used by standard or advanced students.
Laurie Halse Anderson. Speak. After an event in the summer break, Melinda becomes an outcaste at school and stops talking. Focus on the interior monologue (her ‘brain voice’) that depicts her growing maturity when dealing with the event, and the way the structure slowly allows the reader to discover the cause of her silence. NB – it’s pretty intense so don’t read it if you’re already feeling depressed!
Plath, Sylvia. The Bell Jar. Alienated from her stereotypical female peers during her internship at a prestigious women’s magazine in New York, the talented Esther becomes increasingly depressed and is committed to a mental asylum by her family. Discuss how Esthers narrative voice and tone (esp the internal monologue) and explore the various motifs (media, mirrors, photographs, blood) and symbols (bell jar, tree, headlines,) used to depict Esther’s resistance to traditional feminine roles and her eventual recognition of herself as an empowered individual. Some notes about this book can be found at http://www.shmoop.com/bell-jar/ and there is an academic essay at http://www.sylviaplath.de/plath/wagner2.html. that might be useful.
McCaffrey, Anne. Dragonsong. Talented musician, Menolly embarrasses her family by wanting to pursue a career is a harper even though she’s a girl. This fantasy novel depicts struggle against all the odds to change the ‘rules’ after her accidental discovery of dragon-lizards, which will save her colony. Focus on the way the landscape is used to portray Menolly’s emotions as well as types of orders and questions in the dialogue to establish her role in the hold and the hall.
Franklin, Miles. My Brilliant Career. This Australian classic tells the story of Sybella, an intelligent and viviacious 16 year old who lives in rural Australia at the end of the C19th, from her discovery of the constraintys of ‘normal’ female roles to her romance with Harry Beecham from the nearby farm to her acceptance and fame as an author. Discuss the impact of first person and stream of consciousness on the reader, and investigate the role of the Australian landscape in defining Sybylla’s psyche. Recommended for advanced students.
Tan, Amy. The Bonesetter’s Daughter This novel depicts the intense relationship between LuLing Young and her daughter Ruth, re-examining her mother’s past in superstition-ridden rural China and the tensions of Chinese immigrant life in America.. Focus on the way layers of secrets and ambiguity create different sorts of discoveries through the juxtaposition of rural Chinese and contemporary American life, and look for repeated symbols and metaphors. Recommended for advanced students (only because it’s long and you don’t want to get sidetracked telling the plot!)
Big Fat Manifesto by Susan Vaught. Random House Australia, 2008. ISBN-13 9781741663037. 308 pp. This American young adult novel is a warm and ultimately positive story about body image. Jamie, in her final year at high school, writes a column in the student paper – her ‘big fat manifesto’, complaining about the poor press given to fat people and arguing, in effect, that fat is beautiful. This would be a good text for Standard girls.
sovay
Ayoub, Sarah. (2013). Hate is such as strong word is a coming of age novel about a Lebanese girl living in Sydney aropund the time of the Cronulla riots. Sophie comes from a traditional Lebanese family and attends a Maronite school. When half-White-Australian Sherhadie enrolls at her school, the entire community to bound to discover their own stereeotypes and biases as racial conflict escalates. Read Sarah's comments here [http://www.theguardian.com/books/australia-books-blog/2014/nov/27/migrant-teens-deserve-their-own-young-adult-fiction?CMP=share_btn_tw]
Blackman, Marjorie. Boys don't Cry. While he waits for his A-level (English HSC equivalent) results, Dante's long-forgotten one-night-stand turns up - with a baby! Needless to say, his carefully planned life falls apart as he discovers what it is to be a father. Focus on the way the story is told from two different viewpoints (Dante and his brother Adam) and the discoveries the boys make about fatherhood, each other and societal attitudes to teen parenting. Recommended for standard students who enjoy an emotional ride!
Cronn-Mills, Kirstin. Beautiful Music for Ugly Children. Existing at school as her birth-self, Elizabeth, Gabe develops a expresses his a male persona when he hosts the community radio show Beautiful Music for Ugly Children. Pay close attention to the symbolism of songs and to the self-discovery process reflected in Gabe's opening speeches each show. You might also wish to comment about the use of first person and internal monologue which encourages the (presumably cis-gender) reader to discover a transgender identity.
Drinkwater, Carol. Twentieth Century Girl. This diary-style novel depicts English women’s fight to discover her political identity – by voting. Discuss the way the author uses sensory description, rhetorical questions and colloquial dialogue to create a personal and emotional connection to the historical facts, allowing an audience living over a century later to re-evaluate the contribution of these courageous women. Recommended for standard students only.
Moriarty, Jaclyn. Feeling Sorry for Celia. This novel is a humorous collection of (letters, notes and other ‘scraps’ of Celia’s life which illustrate the connections between Cellia and her divorced parents, best friend and pen pal at a local school. Analyse the way the reader interacts with the unusual (postmodern) structure, and the language features of the difference character’s ‘voices’. Pay special attention to the way satirical letters from organisations such as The Cold Hard Truth Society and The Association of Teenagers which exist only within Celia’s mind represent her “discoveries” of the unwritten codes of adolescent behaviour. A deceptively simple book which could be used by standard or advanced students.
Laurie Halse Anderson. Speak. After an event in the summer break, Melinda becomes an outcaste at school and stops talking. Focus on the interior monologue (her ‘brain voice’) that depicts her growing maturity when dealing with the event, and the way the structure slowly allows the reader to discover the cause of her silence. NB – it’s pretty intense so don’t read it if you’re already feeling depressed!
Plath, Sylvia. The Bell Jar. Alienated from her stereotypical female peers during her internship at a prestigious women’s magazine in New York, the talented Esther becomes increasingly depressed and is committed to a mental asylum by her family. Discuss how Esthers narrative voice and tone (esp the internal monologue) and explore the various motifs (media, mirrors, photographs, blood) and symbols (bell jar, tree, headlines,) used to depict Esther’s resistance to traditional feminine roles and her eventual recognition of herself as an empowered individual. Some notes about this book can be found at http://www.shmoop.com/bell-jar/ and there is an academic essay at http://www.sylviaplath.de/plath/wagner2.html. that might be useful.
McCaffrey, Anne. Dragonsong. Talented musician, Menolly embarrasses her family by wanting to pursue a career is a harper even though she’s a girl. This fantasy novel depicts struggle against all the odds to change the ‘rules’ after her accidental discovery of dragon-lizards, which will save her colony. Focus on the way the landscape is used to portray Menolly’s emotions as well as types of orders and questions in the dialogue to establish her role in the hold and the hall.
Franklin, Miles. My Brilliant Career. This Australian classic tells the story of Sybella, an intelligent and viviacious 16 year old who lives in rural Australia at the end of the C19th, from her discovery of the constraintys of ‘normal’ female roles to her romance with Harry Beecham from the nearby farm to her acceptance and fame as an author. Discuss the impact of first person and stream of consciousness on the reader, and investigate the role of the Australian landscape in defining Sybylla’s psyche. Recommended for advanced students.
Tan, Amy. The Bonesetter’s Daughter This novel depicts the intense relationship between LuLing Young and her daughter Ruth, re-examining her mother’s past in superstition-ridden rural China and the tensions of Chinese immigrant life in America.. Focus on the way layers of secrets and ambiguity create different sorts of discoveries through the juxtaposition of rural Chinese and contemporary American life, and look for repeated symbols and metaphors. Recommended for advanced students (only because it’s long and you don’t want to get sidetracked telling the plot!)
Big Fat Manifesto by Susan Vaught. Random House Australia, 2008. ISBN-13 9781741663037. 308 pp. This American young adult novel is a warm and ultimately positive story about body image. Jamie, in her final year at high school, writes a column in the student paper – her ‘big fat manifesto’, complaining about the poor press given to fat people and arguing, in effect, that fat is beautiful. This would be a good text for Standard girls.
sovay
Poems
Blythe Baird (2014) "Girl Code 101" [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-8v54uji3k] interrogates the the stereotypes implicit in being a "Girl": "We are the girls petrified of the business school boys who learned to manifest success by refusing to take no for an answer." Discuss the use of rhetorical questions, her declamatory style and the way her rhythm and pacing create a feeling of shared experience in the audience.
Gluck, Louise. "Circe's Power" tells the ancient Greek story of Odysseus from the sorceress's point of view. It can be read from both a feminist or a postcolonial perspective and would suit studetns who feel that they can't quite get the hang of politics in The Tempest. You can read this poem here [http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/circe-s-power/] . Make sure you also read the original so that you can explain the way Gluck is reinterpreting the story.
Mokobe, Lee. (2015) "What it Feels like to be Transgender" (2015 International Slam Poetry Winner). Vivid imagery tells the experience of a "girl" in growing up in South Africa and discovering that she can become anything she wants - except a man. You can listen to this poem/speech on Ted Talks [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8DwxjDrNNM] and contact him at Twitter ( Please don't Troll - it's hard enough being transsexual!). Pay careful attention to the use of religious symbolism and powerful emotive language, and the careful control of tone and rhythm to manipulate the listener. As this is a performance poem you can also analyse his use of expression and body language - what was it that made this the winning poem?
Shelley, Percy. (1817). "Ozymandius" is a sonnet which uses the metaphor of a gigantic statue of an ancient leader to discuss the way all tyrants eventually fall. don't forget the analyse the use fo the sonnet form as well as the metaphor of a leader whose head has fallen from his body and is lying half-covered and forgotten in the sand. It could be linked to any of the set texts but matches particularly well with an analysis of Prospero's role in The Tempest or the way politics function in Life of Pi or The Motorcycle Diaries.It can be found online at Schmoop [http://www.shmoop.com/ozymandias/]
plays
Enright, Nick. Black Rock (A822 ENR) A chilling play which explores the reactions of a community when a teenager is raped at a local party. Focus on the way the community fragments under pressure and how this is revealed through the dialogue.
Lawler, Ray Summer of the Seventeeth Doll (A822.3 LAW) This Australian classic explores the tenuous relationships between seasonal workers (sugar cane cutters) and their partners in the seventeenth year of their relationship. Examine what characters discover about each other through the colloquial Australian dialogue and the role of symbols. This is an ex-HSC text, which is useful for advanced students, but be aware that your markers are likely to know the play well.
Oswald, Debra. Dags (A822 OSW) Sixteen year old Gillian arrives on stage with her head in a paper bag – not an auspicious beginning for a girl in search of ‘Lurve’. The play depicts discovery and acceptance of herself as an individual. Lots of techniques to discuss here, including the role of puppets on stage, the language changes between Gillian’s monologues to the audience and her dialogue with other characters, the use of gender and social stereotypes and the role of stage directions (esp tone of voice) in creating relationships between the characters. Recommended to standard students who can analyse the postmodern aspects of the staging.
Shakespeare, William. Much Ado About Nothing http://shakespeare.mit.edu/much_ado/full.html While Hero and Claudio are courting, they tell prickly personalities Benedick and Beatrice into believing they are in love with each other – with hilarious results. Look at the way certain metaphors are extended through the play to establish their “discoveries” about one another and pay particular attention to Beatrice and Benedick’s witty repartee. A film version is available in the library.
Shaw, Bernard. Pygmalion (822.9 SHA or online at http://www.enotes.com/pygmalion-text ). The story of a lowly flower girl who ‘becomes’ an aristocrat after learning to speak “high class” English. This play is full of witty comments about the artificiality of a society that uses language to discover social identity. Look in particular at the symbolism of the title, the use of cockney dialect and the way stage directions bring characters together. There are several film versions of this play and it was made into the musical My Fair Lady (F MYF)
Shaw, Bernard. Saint Joan (822.9 SHA) This play rediscovers the life of famous military leader Joan of Arc from the first moment she reveals that God sent her to save France from the evil English through military victories to her trial before the English inquisition and eventual canonisation by the Catholic church. Focus on the alternation of Joan’s acceptance and rejection by other characters and the way the author satirises the fact that she was made into a saint. Look for irony in the plot and the dialogue. Ms Carmyn has an (old) film version.
Williamson, David. The Club (A822.3 WIL) A social satire of the way football clubs operate, buying and selling players like property. Examine the representation of conflict between the coach, the club president and the players, and the way the dialogue (esp. colloquialisms and profanities) creates a gradual process of discovery for the reader, until they realise that the club’s commercialism completely outweighs any consideration of sportmanship – focus on the “man” in “sportsmanship” is you are using theis play to discover more about the representation of masculity. A 1970s version of this play can be found at F THE; your video store may have a more recent production.
Lawler, Ray Summer of the Seventeeth Doll (A822.3 LAW) This Australian classic explores the tenuous relationships between seasonal workers (sugar cane cutters) and their partners in the seventeenth year of their relationship. Examine what characters discover about each other through the colloquial Australian dialogue and the role of symbols. This is an ex-HSC text, which is useful for advanced students, but be aware that your markers are likely to know the play well.
Oswald, Debra. Dags (A822 OSW) Sixteen year old Gillian arrives on stage with her head in a paper bag – not an auspicious beginning for a girl in search of ‘Lurve’. The play depicts discovery and acceptance of herself as an individual. Lots of techniques to discuss here, including the role of puppets on stage, the language changes between Gillian’s monologues to the audience and her dialogue with other characters, the use of gender and social stereotypes and the role of stage directions (esp tone of voice) in creating relationships between the characters. Recommended to standard students who can analyse the postmodern aspects of the staging.
Shakespeare, William. Much Ado About Nothing http://shakespeare.mit.edu/much_ado/full.html While Hero and Claudio are courting, they tell prickly personalities Benedick and Beatrice into believing they are in love with each other – with hilarious results. Look at the way certain metaphors are extended through the play to establish their “discoveries” about one another and pay particular attention to Beatrice and Benedick’s witty repartee. A film version is available in the library.
Shaw, Bernard. Pygmalion (822.9 SHA or online at http://www.enotes.com/pygmalion-text ). The story of a lowly flower girl who ‘becomes’ an aristocrat after learning to speak “high class” English. This play is full of witty comments about the artificiality of a society that uses language to discover social identity. Look in particular at the symbolism of the title, the use of cockney dialect and the way stage directions bring characters together. There are several film versions of this play and it was made into the musical My Fair Lady (F MYF)
Shaw, Bernard. Saint Joan (822.9 SHA) This play rediscovers the life of famous military leader Joan of Arc from the first moment she reveals that God sent her to save France from the evil English through military victories to her trial before the English inquisition and eventual canonisation by the Catholic church. Focus on the alternation of Joan’s acceptance and rejection by other characters and the way the author satirises the fact that she was made into a saint. Look for irony in the plot and the dialogue. Ms Carmyn has an (old) film version.
Williamson, David. The Club (A822.3 WIL) A social satire of the way football clubs operate, buying and selling players like property. Examine the representation of conflict between the coach, the club president and the players, and the way the dialogue (esp. colloquialisms and profanities) creates a gradual process of discovery for the reader, until they realise that the club’s commercialism completely outweighs any consideration of sportmanship – focus on the “man” in “sportsmanship” is you are using theis play to discover more about the representation of masculity. A 1970s version of this play can be found at F THE; your video store may have a more recent production.
films
Branagh, Kenneth. Much Ado About Nothing. While Hero and Claudio are courting, they tell prickly personalities Benedick and Beatrice into believing they are in love with each other – with hilarious results. This adaptation of Shakespeare’s comedy uses slow long pans of the outdoor settings to create a joyful, liberated atmosphere, plus close-ups and quick editing to focus our attention on Beatrice and Benedick’s witty repartee. An excellent review which discusses the way the stage version has influenced the film version can be found at [http://www.suite101.com/content/branaghs-1992-film-adaptation-of-much-ado-about-nothinga-review-a282607] .
Chadha, Gurinder. Bend It Like Beckham. [Ms Carmyn has a copy]. Jess belongs to an Indian family and Anglo soccer team and the clash between these groups is a catalyst for many discoveries including her true feelings for her coach (Joe), her friendship with Jules and the outing of her gay friend Tony. Everything about this film contributes to these discoveries, the costumes, settings, cinematography, dialogue and sound track. See Ms Carmyn for a study guide if you didn’t study it in class.
Cuaron, Alfonso (2013) Gravity is a thriller where the villain is space itself. When disaster strikes their space station, two astronauts are flung into space. This film lends itself particularly well to a feminist analysis as it examines the roles of a woman in the male-dominated world of astrophysics, as well as woman as mother and woman as hero. Pay special attention to the cinematography, especially the long shots and unusual lighting, and unusual soundtrack which create a sense of weightlessness and disorientation for the viewer. There is an excellent study guide to this film in Screen Education 73 (Autumn 2014) and some useful reviews at David Bordwell's Website on Cinema [http://www.davidbordwell.net/blog/2013/11/07/gravity-part-1-two-characters-adrift-in-an-experimental-film/]
Nair, Mira. Vanity Fair. In this elegant satire of C19th society, Becky Sharp claws her way up the social ladder among lavish sets and costumes, but don’t let this distract you from some very important comments about the nature of female society. The extras will give you a good understanding of the historical context and the director’s intentions. Focus on the way the camera and dialogue compel you to empathise with Becky even when she’s being less than endearing. A good review can be found at http://www.aboutfilm.com/movies/v/vanityfair.htm.
Shyamalan, M. Knight. The Village. (coming soon. Ms Gregory has a copy.) A suspenseful film (think about the soundtrack here!) about social control set in a village cut off from the world by a forest full of monsters (but not a horror film). Focus and the way the camera makes the setting claustrophobic and the symbolism of the colour red as well as specific relationships between the characters. It has a great commentary which deconstructs the film techniques. An excellent analysis of the themes can be found at http://vhcook.com/film/filmthevill.htm. This review also responses to some of the criticisms about the film’s plot-twist. It would work well with As you like it or Skrzynecki’s poetry.
Sondheim, Steven. Into the Woods. [Ms Carmyn has a copy]. A musical version of the ultimate postmodern fairytale: Cinderella, Red riding hood, Rapunzel, and Jack of Beanstalk fame journey into the woods to achieve their ‘wishes.’ Like some scenes in The Tempest, the woods are dark and dangerous, but they do teach each of the characters that caring about each other is the only way to achieve happiness. Analyse the stage set and soundtrack as well as lyrics such as “You are not alone”. Recommended for advanced students who are using a feminist or psychoanalytical approach to interpretation and standard students who are looking at the archeotypes using in Life of Pi.
Wheedon, Joss. Buffy the Vampire Slayer: “Phases”. [Ms Carmyn has a copy]. Almost any episode could be used to discuss discovery – there’s an essay on “Normal Again” in the O-drive. In this episode, a werewolf is discovered in Sunnydale and the heroes must find him before it is too late. This episode begins by using all the clichéd conventions of the horror genre (esp. the metaphor of teenage males as predatory wolves), then undoes these metaphors as they discover the werewolf needs to be protected. Listen to the excellent director’s commentary for techniques (lighting, camera angles, soundtrack etc) to discuss in your essay. Interesting essays from a film studies perspective can be found at http://slayageonline.com/essays/slayage17/Albright.htm and http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~felluga/sf/sampleAPaperMrO3d.html.
Barmak, Siddikq. Osama. Under the Taliban a young girl disguises herself as a boy to support her family and is drafted into the army where her life depends on her ability to discover an alterative identity in a man’s world. Focus on the use of colour and setting to symbolise the harsh reality of life in pre-invasion Afghanistan, where non-compliant women were persecuted to the point of death. Useful reviews can be found at http://www.offoffoff.com/film/2004/osama.php or http://qafilm.qataracademy.wikispaces.net/message/view/home/7184581 .
Romeo and Juliet
Documentaries Hannah Gadsby’s Oz
]
Chadha, Gurinder. Bend It Like Beckham. [Ms Carmyn has a copy]. Jess belongs to an Indian family and Anglo soccer team and the clash between these groups is a catalyst for many discoveries including her true feelings for her coach (Joe), her friendship with Jules and the outing of her gay friend Tony. Everything about this film contributes to these discoveries, the costumes, settings, cinematography, dialogue and sound track. See Ms Carmyn for a study guide if you didn’t study it in class.
Cuaron, Alfonso (2013) Gravity is a thriller where the villain is space itself. When disaster strikes their space station, two astronauts are flung into space. This film lends itself particularly well to a feminist analysis as it examines the roles of a woman in the male-dominated world of astrophysics, as well as woman as mother and woman as hero. Pay special attention to the cinematography, especially the long shots and unusual lighting, and unusual soundtrack which create a sense of weightlessness and disorientation for the viewer. There is an excellent study guide to this film in Screen Education 73 (Autumn 2014) and some useful reviews at David Bordwell's Website on Cinema [http://www.davidbordwell.net/blog/2013/11/07/gravity-part-1-two-characters-adrift-in-an-experimental-film/]
Nair, Mira. Vanity Fair. In this elegant satire of C19th society, Becky Sharp claws her way up the social ladder among lavish sets and costumes, but don’t let this distract you from some very important comments about the nature of female society. The extras will give you a good understanding of the historical context and the director’s intentions. Focus on the way the camera and dialogue compel you to empathise with Becky even when she’s being less than endearing. A good review can be found at http://www.aboutfilm.com/movies/v/vanityfair.htm.
Shyamalan, M. Knight. The Village. (coming soon. Ms Gregory has a copy.) A suspenseful film (think about the soundtrack here!) about social control set in a village cut off from the world by a forest full of monsters (but not a horror film). Focus and the way the camera makes the setting claustrophobic and the symbolism of the colour red as well as specific relationships between the characters. It has a great commentary which deconstructs the film techniques. An excellent analysis of the themes can be found at http://vhcook.com/film/filmthevill.htm. This review also responses to some of the criticisms about the film’s plot-twist. It would work well with As you like it or Skrzynecki’s poetry.
Sondheim, Steven. Into the Woods. [Ms Carmyn has a copy]. A musical version of the ultimate postmodern fairytale: Cinderella, Red riding hood, Rapunzel, and Jack of Beanstalk fame journey into the woods to achieve their ‘wishes.’ Like some scenes in The Tempest, the woods are dark and dangerous, but they do teach each of the characters that caring about each other is the only way to achieve happiness. Analyse the stage set and soundtrack as well as lyrics such as “You are not alone”. Recommended for advanced students who are using a feminist or psychoanalytical approach to interpretation and standard students who are looking at the archeotypes using in Life of Pi.
Wheedon, Joss. Buffy the Vampire Slayer: “Phases”. [Ms Carmyn has a copy]. Almost any episode could be used to discuss discovery – there’s an essay on “Normal Again” in the O-drive. In this episode, a werewolf is discovered in Sunnydale and the heroes must find him before it is too late. This episode begins by using all the clichéd conventions of the horror genre (esp. the metaphor of teenage males as predatory wolves), then undoes these metaphors as they discover the werewolf needs to be protected. Listen to the excellent director’s commentary for techniques (lighting, camera angles, soundtrack etc) to discuss in your essay. Interesting essays from a film studies perspective can be found at http://slayageonline.com/essays/slayage17/Albright.htm and http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~felluga/sf/sampleAPaperMrO3d.html.
Barmak, Siddikq. Osama. Under the Taliban a young girl disguises herself as a boy to support her family and is drafted into the army where her life depends on her ability to discover an alterative identity in a man’s world. Focus on the use of colour and setting to symbolise the harsh reality of life in pre-invasion Afghanistan, where non-compliant women were persecuted to the point of death. Useful reviews can be found at http://www.offoffoff.com/film/2004/osama.php or http://qafilm.qataracademy.wikispaces.net/message/view/home/7184581 .
Romeo and Juliet
Documentaries Hannah Gadsby’s Oz
]
non fiction
Van Geldermalsen, Margueite, Married to a Beduin. (2006) [Ms Carmyn has a copy] In 1978, two New Zealanders travelled on a holiday through Jordan. One met Mohammad and decided to stay. Marguerite’s memoir of her time spent living a traditional Bedouin life) under the shadow of the ancient ruins of Petra takes the reader on a journey of discovery into an exotic lifestyle (which no longer exists, due to moderisation of the area. Pay particular attention to the use of Arabic words and the references to icons of Maruerite’s Western education. Recommended for Standard students.
journal articles
Ang, Ien. (1995). “I’m a feminist but…: Other women and post national feminism” in Transitions: New Australian Feminisms. [Women folder at 301] Chinese-Indonesian by birth, educated in the Netherlands, and working in Australia, Ian Ang is perfectly placed to critique the idea that feminism represents a process of self-discovery for all women. She argues that feminism represents the world of Western middle class women, leaving people of colour alienated from this discourse because “the experience of racism changes the experience of gender”(p.64). This essay is very theoretical, but they key points are underlined, so that you can appreciate the main ideas. It would be an excellent text for advanced students who are discussing feminist viewpoints or the role of “the Other” in their set text. These points are very relevant to Go back to where you came from and Motorcycle Diaries, but might also be used by students focusing on a feminist analysis of The Tempest.