It is often said that we are a product of our environment. Circumstances and experiences shape and mold us. I have found that there are many similarities between the changing universe to which Alice becomes subject and the Lost Generation universe of Hemingway's characters. Both settings prove to be important in the shaping of the characters. Their surrounding and circumstances change them. They lose their innocence and become something new. I want to focus on how the respective settings of 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' and "The Sun Also Rises' lead to loss of innocence and a questions of identity.
As Alice learns more and more about the nature of the world in which she lives, the characters in 'The Sun Also Rises' indeed are subject to a changing world in which common ideas of gender roles and identity are challenged.
So far, I have something like:
The changing circumstances of the world in which the characters of "The Sun Also Rises" live effect their own perceptions of their identity and gender roles. Likewise, the strange universe to which Alice visits has a similar effect in that she often questions her identity.
I have gotten some help from my homies, but I could use some more perspective. Anything will be appreciated.
What a cool way to connect Alice and The Sun also Rises! I found this actually super helpful, since I've had no idea how to successfully do so. But your working thesis seems to be missing that "loss of innocence" aspect to both of them that you mentioned before. Discussing how the two books show (maybe different takes?) how finding ones identity results in the loss of innocence, would give your essay more depth.
ReplyDeleteThat is a great insight! Thank you for the idea. I think that will open up the spectrum of my paper as well.
DeleteI really like this concept. I agree with Annalee's suggestion that you should discuss how finding one's identity leads to a loss of innocence. It will give your paper a narrower focus and a strong central contention. There is a book by Birgitte Soland entitled "Becoming Modern: Young Women and the Reconstruction of Womanhood in the 1920s" that will help you contextualize the evolving gender roles in "The Sun Also Rises."
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