In class, we discussed how a utopia can mean two things; "no" place or "good" place, and I wanted to write my paper on a more refined definition of utopia, one that I believe Joanna Russ was trying to portray through her character "I". "I" believes that utopia's are illustrated as a place that can become something better, have potential to learn understand from the past in order to create a more beneficial place. So, instead of "no" place, it becomes a "possibility" place, which needs to strive to became a "better" place. With that said, here is my question:
Does Joanna Russ intersect the character "I" to portray a nontraditional definition of an utopia, where passages are written by "I" to explain that the feminist issues at hand have been considered, but need to be taken into real consideration to make that transition from a "no" place to a "good" place?
"I" seems to play the role of what a typical woman would do in a given situation, like in the passage where "I" said they laughed, not because the joke was funny, but because if they did not they would appear to be prude. Therefore, "I" illustrates what is done in our society by laughing, but also what should be done, how women should think in a "good" place.
I would use a bunch of examples taken from the stereotypes Joanna Russ writes in her book from how women are looked at in our society as they age, to the passage which shows adjectives of a "girly" girl, to a more masculine women and how our society disproves of masculine women, and instead prefer women wear dresses to the bar and laugh at men's not-so-funny jokes.
Sorry you all had to read so much, but I look forward to reading everyone's comments!
You really seem to have put a lot of thought into this and I think you have a great start!
ReplyDeleteI like how you are relating the "I" character to the idea of the multiple meanings of "utopia" and how Russ uses "I" to transition the meaning from "no" to "good".
I just have one question, what is your final question? How will you put all of your ideas into a simple question that will go at the top of your paper?
I agree, there is a lot I want to talk about, but I need a more simple question. Here is what I have come up with so far:
ReplyDeleteDoes Joanna Russ intersect the character "I" to refine the definition of a utopia, to illustrate to the audience the negative connotations evident today of which society needs to strive to reduce in order to reach a "better" or "possible" place?
I would suggest saying "How does Joanna Russ..." to make it an open-ended question. Other than that, it sounds good!
ReplyDeleteI like your critical thinking behind this question. The only suggestion I have is that you limit your question down because it seems too broad as it is now. You have a lot of good ideas but it might be difficult to squeeze them all into a short essay. Maybe focus on 1 or 2 scenes that show this portrayal of a utopia through the you character. Just don't let the paper be a combination of numerous topics.
ReplyDeleteYour topic seems very interesting!
I can tell you are really interested in this topic and seem to have a good grasp as to what you want to write about. I definitley think you will have enough to write about, but it may be a little too broad. Maybe try narrowing it down to a certain scene or chapter. But I definitley think this is a great and intriguing topic! Nice work :)
ReplyDelete(I just realized I wrote pretty much the same thing as Megan haha! I guess I felt the same way!)
I like where you are going with your paper. I think there may to many ideas for a 4-6 page paper. If you can try to narrow it down just a little that would be great. Great topic and I know this would be a great paper :)
ReplyDeleteHi Lauren -
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you're already clarifying your question to something along the lines of "How does Russ's use of the "I" character theorize the possibilities and limitations of utopia?", which sounds good to me. I also think your group members' advice to focus on a scene or two is sound (it sounds like you already have some ideas along these lines!). The challenge, as they suggest, will be to rein in your (quite interesting!)ideas - focusing on that specific argument you are trying to make and laying it out step by step for the reader.