I. An introduction. State your thesis about HOFAS, tell how you found your "theme" in the afterword of Pamela Dean's Tam Lin.
II. Give definitions and bullet-point descriptions of the two hearts.
III. Flesh out (sorry) your descriptions with examples from fantasy literature -- 3 to 5 or so, selected for variety and vividness of illustration.
IV. Wrap with a few words about how fantasy thus helps us better understand the human condition, etc. etc., at least this one aspect of the human condition. You might want to work this point into the thesis/introduction section, too. One of the conference themes is connecting fantasy with non-fantasy literature, and one fundamental role of literature is to explore what it means to be human -- and your theme is a perfect way to show that fantasy can and does run deeper than swords and sorcery action pulp. ;-)
O.K. So if the above ideas more or less work for you, your proposal could read something like this:
Hearts of Flesh and Hearts of Stone
A key function of literature is to connect us more deeply with our humanity. A prominent theme in fantasy literature is what Pamela Dean calls the Heart of Flesh and Heart of Stone. I explore what it means to have a Heart of Flesh versus a Heart of Stone, and I discuss examples from a variety of works that show how fantasy, at its best, can and does illuminate the human condition.
Hope that helps, Peg! Play with it, and with the suggested stories, and see what you can come up with. Just focus on that blurb and get it in by Friday; then you can ask our advice again while you write the paper itself. ;-) HOOT.
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Re: Organizing your thoughts: some help, hopefully, Part 2
Date: 2007-06-20 01:17 pm (UTC)I. An introduction. State your thesis about HOFAS, tell how you found your "theme" in the afterword of Pamela Dean's Tam Lin.
II. Give definitions and bullet-point descriptions of the two hearts.
III. Flesh out (sorry) your descriptions with examples from fantasy literature -- 3 to 5 or so, selected for variety and vividness of illustration.
IV. Wrap with a few words about how fantasy thus helps us better understand the human condition, etc. etc., at least this one aspect of the human condition. You might want to work this point into the thesis/introduction section, too. One of the conference themes is connecting fantasy with non-fantasy literature, and one fundamental role of literature is to explore what it means to be human -- and your theme is a perfect way to show that fantasy can and does run deeper than swords and sorcery action pulp. ;-)
O.K. So if the above ideas more or less work for you, your proposal could read something like this:
Hearts of Flesh and Hearts of Stone
A key function of literature is to connect us more deeply with our humanity. A prominent theme in fantasy literature is what Pamela Dean calls the Heart of Flesh and Heart of Stone. I explore what it means to have a Heart of Flesh versus a Heart of Stone, and I discuss examples from a variety of works that show how fantasy, at its best, can and does illuminate the human condition.
Hope that helps, Peg! Play with it, and with the suggested stories, and see what you can come up with. Just focus on that blurb and get it in by Friday; then you can ask our advice again while you write the paper itself. ;-) HOOT.