As we work through Part 4, you should begin to think about appropriate topics you would be interested in pursuing for the IOP, your official IB assessment for this unit. You’ll need to come up with a possible topic for each of the three texts. Please post your potential topics as replies to the appropriate question below. You should write a short paragraph describing each topic and how you would present it. Please read my sample for each text for a model.
The guidelines for the Individual Oral Presentation (IOP) are posted here. We will review these guidelines in class as soon as time permits.
Note: You are welcome to choose a topic that combines ideas from multiple texts—some of these have been quite successful. However, you do need to post three separate potential topics for this assignment.
Due dates: consider posting early so that you can claim your topics. All students are required to present on distinct, original topics. These posts are due by the time class meets, not by midnight.
- One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Ken Kesey: Monday, 15 September
- Poetry by Carol Ann Duffy: Tuesday, 23 September
- A Streetcar Named Desire (unless we choose to use The Tempest?), Tennessee Williams: Friday, 31 October
Assessment: for completing all three of the required posts by the deadlines, you will receive a weight of two score—one score for standard 1 (writing process), and one for standard 6 (analysis).
Please try to make your IOPs original and interesting: your classmates and I will thank you for it. [Image from Phantom Galleries LA]
Jess Barga
ECA English with Ms. Barga 
Please post your potential IOP topic for Ken Kesey’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest as a reply to this response.
[sample]
For my oral presentation, I’d like to examine Kesey’s use of diction and dialect, specifically in the narration of Chief Bromden and dialogue of Dale Harding. I’ll be comparing several short passages by each speaker, pointing out the specific choices that contribute to each man’s diction, and then assessing the effect of that diction on characterization.
In the actual presentation, I’ll walk the class through my comparisons of extracts as well as my conclusions, using a PowerPoint alongside dramatized readings of key quotations. (A classmate will be helping me for scenes featuring both men.)
In my oral presentation, I will analyze several biblical allusions in OFOTCN and their general effects. I will especially focus on the connection between McMurphy’s “sacrifice” in the novel compared to Jesus’s own sacrifice in the Bible and any connections between the characters in the novel and any renowned biblical characters.
For the actual presentation, I will record certain sections of the novel and present them alongside a PowerPoint with accompanying pictures. I will then analyze the allusions incorporated in these sections and expand on their effects. I will conclude my presentation with a set of discussion questions to engage the entire class in discussion and debate.
For my oral presentation, I will analyze and compare the main character of OFOTCN, McMurphy, to the author of the novel, Ken Kesey. I will especially focus on their involvement with the therapeutical ideologies of the time, as well as Project MCKultra. I will also compare both characters physically and personality wise.
As to the actual presentation, I will create a video with pictures of both, as well as maybe a clip or two from the movie, as I talk and record my presentation in the background. My recording in the background will include analysis of both McMurphy’s and Ken Kesey’s involvement in the therapeutics as well as comparing the both using characterization from the book and background information from online sources. The project will end with an open ended question (Something like, do you agree that the two have similar features and that Kesey developed McMurphy’s character with influence from himself? Or are they not alike at all?)
Sergio, one thing here: the IOP is intended to be a live oral presentation, so I worry about your plan to record your analysis. Having some elements (quotations, perhaps, with added sound effects?) recorded is perfectly fine, but you’ll have to present the bulk of your actual content directly to the class.
As for your actual topic, it’s fascinating—one that I think your classmates might really engage with, as would I—but it also runs the risk of delving excessively into biography. This is something that both I and the IB would caution you against. In order to show “knowledge and understanding of the text” (a major criterion in the IOP rubric) at a high level, this might not be the wisest choice. If you are really intent on looking at Kesey as a person, consider an interview format in which you play him as he defends the novel against charges of profanity, immorality, etc. That would enable you to focus on the book while still making some implied assertions about Kesey as a human being.
Clara (this reply may be misplaced because some of your classmates accidentally replied to your post instead of to mine), your topic is absolutely valid and interesting, but a bit overdone. If you choose to do it, look for ways to make it original (I like your idea of recording—perhaps some element of creative performance alongside this could make the topic uniquely yours).
For my oral presentation, I would like to analyze the female symbols in “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”. The idea would be to compare and contrast two female figures, in this case Nurse Ratched and Candy, through characterization and techniques used by the author. I would essentially compare and asses the meaning of passages where details, actions, or descriptions of these two characters appear.
The presentation itself would be done using Powerpoint. I’ll walk through the passages depending on the character and draw my conclusion from its analysis. I could possibly also show clips from the movie where the characters appear to further enhance the purpose of the commentary.
Natasha, I like this topic a lot—examining the role women play in OFOTCN could be both interesting and highly relevant. Consider some well-planned, powerful visuals to assist you in presenting the essence of both characters to the class, and think about briefly addressing some of the minor female characters (such as the Japanese nurse) as well.
For my own oral presentation, I would look at USA’s culture before and after “One flew over the cuckoo’s nest” was published and widespread. By studying this and some of the problems spoken about, so that a greater historical understanding can be reached.
The presentation would hopefully be done in powerpoint, and I would explain the ways of thinking, living and cultural changes before and after.
Lino, this is a worthwhile area to examine. Just remember that your main focus should be on the text, so consider doing a thorough analysis of the way the culture is represented within the text, alongside your external research on how it really was before and after.
For my oral presentation I propose to explore how Kesey’s use of allusion and symbol enhance characterization within “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”. I will be emphasizing on McMurphy’s comparison to a biblical figure and Nurse Ratched’s association with authoritarian leaders across the 20th centaury.
During the presentation I will be comparing various extracts and symbols from the novel to both historical and biblical events in order to assess their effect on the development of Nurse Ratched and McMurphy’s character respectively. Furthermore, I will evaluate the manner in which Nurse Ratched governs the ward and compare it to various regimes across history in order to fully grasp Nurse Ratched’s character as a whole.
Gonzalo, obviously you will find plenty of very convincing allusions in McMurphy’s case. With regard Ratched, it might be harder to find things that can technically be defined as allusions, although you could certainly develop a parallel between the her character and authoritarian regimes. I would recommend choosing one or the other of these two directions so that your analysis will be more in-depth (if you do use this topic and choose the McMurphy angle, be sure that you’re not duplicating, as similar topics have been proposed by some of your classmates), and perhaps adding a creative or especially engaging means of representing the character beyond mere quotations (although of course, those should be featured).
For my presentation, I would like to analyse the roles of the opposite sexes in Duffy’s and Kesey’s literary works. I will pick one female character from “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest” and the general role of men in “Queen Herod.” The idea will be to observe these characters and their portray of stereotype through the perspective of the other writer. I will look for specific quotations from both the novel as well as the poem and how the author uses technical devises to criticise the role of the opposite sex.
In the actual presentation there would be an interviewer asking both Kesey and Duffy to defend their own gender, based on elements from their work. A classmate will help reading the questions and I will be answering taking the position of the author.
Camila, you’ve got some interesting ideas with good potential here, but it seems as though you may be talking about two separate presentations / topics, and some of the details are a bit hard to understand. (Specifically, are you asking Kesey to look at “Queen Herod” and Duffy to look at Cuckoo’s Nest? That’s where I got confused.)
The interview format sounds great, and I like the combination of the two texts. You’ll just have to explain a little more clearly exactly what you’re proposing if you decide to use this topic.
For my IOP presentation I was thinking about making a comparison between female characters in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and the collection of Carole Ann Duffy poems. I will more specifically pay attention and look at how women are portrayed as predators and victimizers rather than the opposite. Both literary pieces work hard to equalize women, and their primary statement is that not only are men capable of being cruel and destructive. I will be paying particular attention at maternity and how it can be more negative than positive at times. I would possibly make a presentation in which I compare Nurse Ratched to Queen Herod, and discuss their motives, the result of their actions and their cultural context (women’s rights and what not). To explore these themes, a prezi will be used in which both characters are presented in a ven diagram and their significance discussed.
Hey Armando, this is an interesting topic but I am noticing that it seems to be a very popular one among many of the students in the class—if you end up choosing this, make sure it’s sufficiently distinct from everyone else’s (there can’t be any duplication of topics).
One thing I would be careful with here is the idea that a “primary statement” in Duffy is that women “are capable of being cruel and destructive.” Of course, there are some clear examples of cruelty and destruction in certain of the poems, but I would be cautious about advancing this as one of the major themes of the Duffy collection as a whole. On the other hand, I do think a detailed comparison of Ratched and Herod has some potential…
For the text “One flew over the cuckoo’s nest” (OFOTCN) my potential IOP topic will be to examine the paradoxical connection between McMurphy and the divine. This subject will explore the notion that despite the negative connotations attached to various individuals, these people can also be seen as selfless , amiable and more (like McMurphy).
I will explore this topic by finding passages in the novel that characterizes McMurphy as a virtuous or vile person (and thus add to the connection being examined). Examples include incidents McMurphy is involved in which have a biblical element (e.g. his electroshock therapy session). In addition, this topic will not be seen solely from an ecclesiastical perspective; instead, it will have a multi-religious factor added to it.
Finally, this topic will be presented through a Prezi slideshow. During its projection I will present and explain the audience the collected passages in regards to the subject and end with the conclusion I withdrew from them.
This isn’t bad, but it’s less original and compelling than your Duffy topic (note how many of your classmates have chosen a similar direction—though with a bit more emphasis on the Jesus symbolism—with their OFOTCN topics). McMurphy is a good case study for moral ambiguity, although ultimately, Kesey does make him solidly heroic, don’t you think?
OFTCN IOP Post
My IOP will draw parallels between the treatment that patients in Ken Kesey’s fictional mental institution and actual victims of mental illnesses during the fifties and sixties endured. The presentation will feature slides on predominant infirmities of the era and the most frequently employed methods of addressing them, along with excerpts from One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest describing the means through which McMurphy and his peers were treated. Furthermore, the concluding sections of the presentation will focus on the evolution of psychotherapy and describe the primary differences between the alleged cures of the mid-twentieth centuries and the more refined methods employed in the modern world.
The aforementioned topic will be covered through the means of a power-point, which will contain both excerpts from Kesey’s texts and images from the film adaptation, along with other information obtained through research.
This is a totally valid topic, but I worry that your emphasis on actual institutional practice from the appropriate time period would make it difficult for you to save enough time to show strong knowledge and understanding of the text. If I were you (and you choose this topic), I’d make that a subtopic, and an analysis of clinical practice in the book the main focus.
Please post your potential IOP topic for Carol Ann Duffy’s poetry as a reply to this response. Your topic is due by the time that class begins on Friday, 18 October.
[samples]
I’ll be posting two samples: one creative, the other analytic. This is my creative topic.
For my oral presentation, I’ll be composing a pastiche (i.e., an imitation) of a Carol Ann Duffy poem, with a twist. The poem will be a response to Duffy’s “Thetis” from The World’s Wife, from the perspective of Thetis’ husband, Peleus, and son, Achilles.
For the class, I’ll do a dramatic reading of the poem, explaining (a) my rationale, (b) the Greek myths associated with Peleus as interpreted in my poem, (c) the specific techniques (such as internal rhyme, alliteration, flippant style, classical allusion with modern twists, and enumeration) from Duffy that appear in the pastiche, and (d) the effect of these techniques on Duffy’s and my own poems.
(Keep in mind that creative topics require a written rationale to explain their purpose in creating the piece.)
This is my analytic topic.
For my oral presentation, I’ll be examining the use of animal imagery and symbolism in several of Duffy’s poems (namely, “Thetis,” “Queen Herod,” “Little Red Cap,” “Originally,” “Litany,” and “In Mrs. Tilscher’s Class”). I’ll compare and contrast her use of animals in various examples, and draw some conclusions about how she most frequently employs them. From this, I’ll extrapolate a theory of Duffy’s general view of the animal kingdom and its poetic potential.
For the presentation element, I’ll provide visuals to accompany my explanation of each of the examples and my analysis. This will take the form of a slide show with little or no text.
For my IOP topic, I would like to compare, contrast and analyse the portrayal the male stereotype in “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” versus its perspective in Carol Ann Duffy’s poetry, specifically in “Queen Herod”. Since there is a lack of masculinity in most of Carol Ann Duffy’s poems, it would be interesting to compare the few male characters that appear in the poems to Kesey’s characters such as McMurphy or Chief Bromden. The comparison would be done through the use of literary devices related to the topic (in the case of Carol Ann Duffy’s poems) and passages from “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”.
The presentation would be done in PowerPoint or Prezi, though Prezi would serve as most useful. The plan is to have three main ideas during the presentation; one describing the male stereotype in Queen Herod, another for the male characters in “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”, and then another analyzing the relationship between the two.
Natasha, this has potential, although there is a real trend in this year’s proposed (practice) topics toward comparing and contrasting the way the two authors treat the subject of gender, so if you decide to go with this one, we’ll have to do some work to make sure that it’s distinct from your classmates’ topics (no duplicate topics can be done). I particularly like the idea of looking at secondary / minor characters in the works, although I guess this only applies to what you’re looking at with “Queen Herod,” and not Kesey. But one interesting feature of this topic is that there are probably some strong shared traits between the men in both works—and these are portrayed favorably in Kesey, and very negatively in Duffy. It would be very interesting to consider how the two authors flavor similar characters in opposite ways.
For my IOP topic, I will compare how Carol Ann Duffy gets inspired by folktales and changes them to affect the overall theme and motif. Specifically I will be comparing “Queen Herod”, ” Little Red Cap” and “Mrs. Faust” to the real stories, how they were altered and the overall effect that it left on the reader.
The presentation will be done in a powerpoint with animations and/or a video using ken and burns. The main plan is to present all poems separately and have a slide comparing and contrasting the differences and similarities between the poems. I think that with a little research and a good presentation this topic could be very successful.
Sergio, first off, the topic itself could be very effective—Duffy’s revisions to old stories is one of the most fascinating elements of the poems in this unit, in my opinion.
Your explanation of how you’ll present this is a bit unclear. What do you mean by “a video using ken and burns”? Do you mean a video in the style of Ken Burns’ series? You’ll need to be more explicit, but as I mentioned in a comment for your OFOTCN topic, this needs to be a live oral presentation, not a prerecorded video.
For my Oral Presentation I will be examining Caroline Anne Duffy’s use of tone throughout “Mrs. Faust” and “Queen Herod” to explore her attitude towards feminism in general. I’ll examine various characters from both poems, predominantly Queen Herod and Mrs. Faust and the extent to which these characters share focal feminist ideas from the time of the creation of the poems themselves.
During the presentation I will provide both visuals and extracts from the poems alongside analysis given orally. Furthermore, I will explore key feminist ideals and contrast them with those expressed by Duffy through tone and characterization.
Gonzalo, this could be interesting, especially since the poems portray extremely different women. Of course, it’s hard to say how engaging the actual presentation would be without knowing more about the visuals you mention, but if this is something that interests you, consider pursuing it.
Duffy Potential IOP
My oral presentation will examine various examples of Carol Ann Duffy’s revisionist mythology and explore the themes developed in poems such as “Thetis”, “Queen Herod”, “Little Red Cap” and potentially “Mrs. Faust”. Furthermore, I will elaborate on the literary devices employed by Duffy to effectively portray her revisions and explain the effects they have on both the original plot and the reader.
The presentation will follow a relatively simple power-point structure, featuring numerous slides with quotations and pictures (to serve as visual aids).
This is a great idea with a great deal of potential—feminist revisionist mythology is an interesting topic. If you choose to actually do this, be sure to examine the purpose in revising established myths, fairy tales, etc. That is, by looking at themes, you will obviously be analyzing purpose, but I mean the effects, specifically, of embedding these themes in old stories instead of simply writing new ones.
For my IOP, I will be composing, presenting and analyzing a pastiche of a Carol Ann Duffy poem based on the fairy tale “Rumpelstiltskin”. It will follow Carol Ann Duffy’s poetic style in “Little Red Cap” and also adopt a feminist position, empowering the women in the story line.
I will present a dramatic reading of the poem and continue with a PowerPoint presentation in which I will explain the poem’s literal and figurative meanings, analyze the literary techniques and devices I used (such as internal rhyme, allusion, metaphor/simile and enumeration), their resemblance to Duffy’s techniques and the techniques’ general effect on my pastiche and Duffy’s poems.
Clara, I think this is a fantastic idea, if you’re actually interested in pursuing it. There seems to be a dearth of creative topic proposals in the mix this year, and it would really serve us well to have at least one or two creative IOPs. “Rumpelstiltskin” has so much potential for a feminist revision fairy tale, and the presentation format you describe has been very successful for students doing similar topics in the past.
(seems like it didn’t post the first time) For my IOP I will talk of the horrors of war and humanity’s potential for evil, and how they are described by Carol Ann Duffy. I will explain the imagery and metaphors for war used by her on “Shooting Stars” and “War photographer”. From these images and metaphors I will then explain Duffy’s view on war and murder, especially her aversion to these.
The presentation would be done in power point, explaining about three of each poems’ most haunting images, and going onto Duffy’s thoughts.
Lino, this is a refreshing departure from the gender issues that are so prominent in the other proposed topics (gender is a natural thing to consider for both Kesey and Duffy, but still, it is far from the only theme Duffy addresses). I actually think this could work quite well, so if you still feel interested in it when the time comes to make a final IOP decision, do think seriously about it.
For my IOP I would like to analyse how Duffy employs the theme of adulthood in three of her poems: “Litany”, “Little Red Cap” and “Originally”. I would compare and contrast how the speakers in these poems leave childhood behind and approach adulthood through their actions and experiences. I’ll choose specific literary devices that connects and supports this theme. Also, I’ll draw some conclusions about how frequent she employs the themes with her own experience.
For the presentation itself, I’ll use prezi or powerpoint to project the quotes and their meanings along with images that also connect to the main topic.
Camila, as I told you in class, I really like this idea. I would consider adding “In Mrs. Tilscher’s Class” to the mix, possibly in place of “Little Red Cap” as the overarching ideas of that poem are so different from those in the other three.
I would be cautious with the “her own experience” element here.
You might want to look for a colorful or dramatic way to incorporate the quotations, but if this is a topic you are really interested in, definitely consider pursuing it.
I was Thinking about doing a pastiche in the style of Carol Ann Duffy, but talking as the Chief Bromden. It would be a poem talking about how the Chief’s deranged state of mind came to be and how his multiple experiences through life such as his time in the war, the construction of the dam, the dominance of his mother, the dominance of the nurse, and his experience as a mute. The poem will be filled with enjambment and a lot of figurative language as well as enumeration. I really want to create a sense of partial insanity, depression and obsession, important characteristics of the chief. The broken style employed by Duffy will be necessary for this. The poems main themes and the ideas it explores will be similar to my other IOP idea. I want to discuss the destructiveness of maternal dominance, but also expand on the nature of the chief, and the importance of the seemingly pointless memories the chief has, but that proved ultimately traumatic to him.
Armando, I like this—obviously, it depends on the effort that goes into and the ultimate success of the poem, but I see a great deal of potential here. Do think about how you would present the poem to the class, as the IOP still needs to be an oral presentation, but if you feel like you have good ideas for channeling Bromden, by all means consider pursuing this one. (So far you and Clara are the only students who have proposed creative topics, and I would like to see at least two of those materialize in the actual presentations.)
A potential subject for the IOP is the exploration of the theme of victimization in Carol Ann Duffy’s poetry which will provide insight into her approaches towards feminism in poetry.
This subject will be examined through quotations in poems such as “Little Red Cap” and “Standing Female Nudes” (which contrast in terms of this IOP’s topic). Additional ways in which the element of victimization is applied to Duffy’s poetry apart from the notion of “men over women” (e.g. through differences in social classes) will also be explored.
Finally, this IOP will may be presented through a Prezi slideshow. While the Prezi is shown I will introduce and explain the audience the gathered quotations in terms of this IOP topic. I will finalize by stating a conclusion obtained from such passages.
Ily, this is a strong topic: I think victimization and how feminists treat it is a polarizing and complex matter to begin with, and Duffy isn’t exactly one-sided in her treatment of it. If you’re interested enough, you could definitely consider making this your real IOC topic.
Please post your potential IOP topic for Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire as a reply to this response.
[sample]
For my oral presentation, I’ll address the use of proper names (and their cultural and symbolic significance) in the play, focusing on Blanche DuBois, Stella, Stanley Kowalski, Mitch, Pablo, Shep Huntleigh, Belle Reve, Elysian Fields and the streetcar itself. For each name, I’ll conduct an analysis of how the name is used to characterize the person or place it’s applied to, as well as its symbolic ramifications.
The actual presentation will include my detailed analysis as well as a creative element, a graphic collage for each name showing images of the qualities it represents. I’ll present the collages before telling the class which name each represents, thus engaging the audience by asking them to produce the names based on the images.
Note: I really wanted my sample to be about music, one of my favorite features of Streetcar, but I thought I’d leave it to one of you. Music lovers in the class should think about a way to frame the ample possibilities for an analysis of the music used in the play.
For my oral presentation, I’ll focus on the differences between Blanche’s refined southern heritage and Stanley’s more common up-bringing. In order to fully define and describe the dissimilarities between the two characters, I will analyze their diction, mannerisms and general behavioral patterns.
My actual presentation will be delivered in the form of a power-point, with excerpts from both the text and the film in order to illustrate certain aspects of both characters. Most slides will feature either a video or a quote from both Blanche and Stanley, and a brief explanation of the personality traits revealed by them.
Santusht, though not particularly out-of-the-box, this is a perfectly reasonable topic, especially if you conduct good, precise analysis of the items you mention (you might include costume; ‘mannerisms’ can also incorporate gestures). A fine idea if you like it enough to go with it.
This IOP will be focused on the notion that similar peoples’ nature can prevail over their respective upbringings and ultimately share similar traits. Also, another major concept will be how materialism is, depending on the perspective, something that transcends mere superficiality. Such concepts will be explored, analyzed and evaluated through certain characters in William Tennessee’s “A Streetcar Named Desire” and Min Jin Lee’s “Free Food for Millionaires.” These individuals are, respectively, Blanche DuBois and Casey Han. They both are materialistic and born for glamour; nevertheless, their backgrounds are quite dissimilar. While Blanche was been raised in a luxurious environment which then then fell into ruins, Casey was born to a low-middle class family but has nonetheless rose to affluent situations. However, these characters’ ritzy natures seem to have endured the tempestuousness of life and share some similarities. For example, Blanche has an emotional attachment to Belle Reve while Casey has a personal connection with fashion. In other words, by nature, both of them share a special, intimate bond with materialism. In addition, I hope that my conclusion of the first notion will show me a new perspective other than my already instilled idea of the superiority of the nurture element over one’s biological factors.
I will demonstrate this material through a Prezi presentation. Nonetheless, I hope to spice up the demonstration by bringing wearable items through which I identify myself with, both in an attempt to support the second notion of my potential IOP and to amuse the class.
Ily, this sounds interesting—but ultimately, comparing such dissimilar works is probably not a wise idea. Instead, if you’d like to work with her, consider pairing Blanche with a character from another text we’ve studied in class. My concern is not only that you would be devoting half of your focus to a text we haven’t studied, but also that I don’t believe materialism to be one of Blanche’s dominant traits—rather, it’s a smaller symptom of other facets of her personality, and Williams does not emphasize it unduly.
For my oral presentation I’d like to analyse the ways reality is modified by Blanche, and re-formed by Stanley. Describing ways Blanche tries to alter her own reality, focusing on her way of changing the lighting and her made-up friends and acquaintances, and the hard reality Stanley forces upon her.
The presentation would (easily deduced by my previous IOP posts) be made in powerpoint. It would be divided into sections of Blanche and Stanley, and those sections would be divided into other sections talking of their ways to fight against each other for reality.
Lino, I kind of understand what you’re getting at, but am not sure this is concrete enough for me to give you solid feedback on it. Would you say it’s an in-depth investigation of the theme of illusion vs. reality? Under that heading, it might work if this is one you are particularly interested in following up on, although I think your Duffy topic would work better.
For my IOP, I would like to compare and contrast the view society had in the past regarding certain roles and, more specifically, its takes on gender. This would be done by comparing some of the main characters in both “A Streetcar Named Desire” and “One Flew Over The Cukoo’s Nest.” These two stories occurred at different times in history, yet they share certain similarities when it comes to the portrayal of masculinity and how women were depicted by men. In this comparison, I will address certain key characters such as McMurphy and Stanley (for the male section of the IOP), Blanche and Nurse Ratchet for the dominant female characters, and of course, Stella and Candy as the more submissive characters. This analysis will be done through quotations chosen from both “A Streetcar Named Desire” and “One Flew Over The Cukoo’s Nest” yet I could also include excerpts from the film to further support my evidence.
In my presentation, I will use a form of media, whether a video or a powerpoint, to clearly analyse the quotations suggesting how each character’s main traits were influenced by the societal expectations in the past. I will use a Prezi for this presentation because with it’s simple tools and formats, I could make it easier for my audience to better see and understand the main differences and similarities between the characters being compared.
Natasha, this sounds great to me. Note that these two works are actually fairly close to one another in history—only fifteen years separate them. This examination could lead to some interesting conclusions about gender roles during the post-war era in the U.S.
For my IOP presentation I would like to compare and contrast the differences between Mitch and Stanley. I will be analysing the diction, gestures and the behaviour these characters use throughout the play to compare the two characters above. Ill present these using snippets of the movie as well as to add to the visual aid.
In my actual presentation I am doubting between a powerpoint presentation (very common), or switch it up and produce a well edited video. Ill present it during class, although the video gives me the flexibility to record my voice if that is not possible.
Sergio, I think this one is a bit tricky in terms of relevance: if you can make some clear assertion about the two characters representing different human traits, or motifs in the play, etc, you might be able to make it work, but as you’ve described it here, it doesn’t seem like a very compelling topic. If you really like this one, talk to me about ways to refine or focus it. (Note that the video format doesn’t really enable you to make a live oral presentation, which is required for the IOP. Of course, you are welcome to prepare small video segments to intersperse with your oral presentation if you like.)
For my oral presentation, I will focus on the play’s music motif. I will specifically analyze the “blue piano”, the “Varsouviana Polka” and “It’s Only a Paper Moon” (a song sang by Blanche) . I will independently analyze each of the songs and address the effects they have on the play’s setting and mood, plot and characters.
I will present the play’s passages and my analyzes alongside a prezi. I will also provide recordings of each music piece to the class so that the audience may also experience the effects created by these songs, emphasizing the theatrical effect of music throughout the play.
Clara, an analysis of music in Streetcar is always a good choice. If you choose to pursue it, it will be interesting for the class as well, as the movie makes somewhat different use of the music than what Williams’ directions imply—so much of the material (at least in its audio form) will be new to them. Just be sure that you coordinate with Camila: both of you are considering a musical topic, and I worry that there would be some overlap, so we’ll probably be better of if one of you chooses a different direction.
For my oral presentation, I’ll like to analyse the role of the main characters; Blanche, Stella, Stanley and Mitch through the use of contemporary music. Music is very significant in this play, especially to represent scenes. So basically, I’ll choose specific examples in which the song’s melody and lyrics illustrate the character on the play, assessing their individuality and personality.
The actual presentation will be deliver in a powerpoint or Prezi. Here, the song will be projected along with the lyrics. Afterwards, I’ll carefully analyse the music by comparing it with ASND’s characters.
Hi Camila,
As we discussed this morning, this topic has great potential and could be very powerful if done thoughtfully and analytically, but would be significantly strengthened if it accompanied an analysis of the original music from Streetcar. I guess it would be possible to do it without that, but it would be much more difficult to show the level of knowledge and understanding of the play that you need to for strong marks on the IOP. I just discovered that Clara is also considering a music topic for Streetcar, so make sure you talk to her: I would be a little worried if both of you choose to do some permutation of a music topic for the play. If you do, at the very least, we would need to sit down to make sure you weren’t overlapping.
For my oral presentation I will explore the use and function of flashbacks on behalf of a number of characters in the play. I will analyze the nature of specific remembrances and examine their overall purpose towards the development of character during the play. Particularly, I will focus on Blanche’s numerous retellings of events in her past.
The presentation will be delivered in the form of either a power point or a prezi. I will begin with a brief précis on the historic and modern role of flashbacks in drama and then explore remembrances in a detailed manner utilizing “A Streetcar Named Desire”. Quotes from the play will be used extensively as will images from both cinematic and theatrical versions of “A Streetcar Named Desire”. I will refrain from writing any lengthy analysis on the slides themselves In order to say it orally.
Gonzalo, as I mentioned yesterday, I think this is an idea with strong potential. The role of memory and the past in Streetcar is a potent one; in fact, I think one or two of the play’s main themes tie directly to this topic. While you are certainly welcome to draw heavily from flashbacks to address this, certainly you should not limit yourself to those. And your idea of comparing and contrasting with Death of a Salesman is good, too: just be sure to give the class some background on that play, but not to dwell on it so long that you neglect the main focus on Streetcar.
For my IOP I was thinking that I would return to OFOTCN very briefly and compare and contrast Blanche and Chief Bromden. I find that both characters share a lot in common and are important figures of madness. I will make a Powerpoint presentation in which both shown. The main point of the presentation is note how the past of these two characters has affected their futures quite a lot. We see with Blanche that death ravaged her, leading her into sexual deviance. The Chief also has a tumultuous past, having witnessed the oppressive power of society destroy the many things he stood up for. In essence I will be analyzing examples flashbacks that occur in both works and then recap on how the behaviors of the characters compare. I will also be taking a look at the effects of alcohol in both characters lives. With the Chief alcoholism is not present, but his father is killed by the drink, so this theme will too be explored.
Armando, we’ve spoken informally about this topic, but just to reiterate, I think it has strong potential. Something like “the role of memory and the past in characters’ mental instability”—make sure you consider which factors cause Blanche to ultimately succumb to madness, and the Chief to (presumably) overcome it.