War Paper

Studies in the Literature of War -- Project Overview

Key Works:

· John Hersey, Hiroshima
· Dalton Trumbo, Johnny Got His Gun
· Peter Weir, Gallipoli (film)
· World War One British Poetry (anthology)


Project Description:


· During this unit, you are going to examine how different artists consider the effects of war on the individual and society. Because war tends to be the dominant experience/event in the lives of individuals, it receives some of its strongest portrayals through literature and art. Such themes as innocence and experience, existence and death, good vs. evil, man’s inhumanity towards man, and the individual’s place in the world emerge during one’s study of war literature. Your task is to consider “war and its effects on the individual” as you study each of the different works.

· At the end of the project, you will be writing a 5-page paper in which you consider some of the above themes, as well as themes that you discover (uncover) during your studies. Moreover, you will be asked to synthesize many of your interpretations as you blend ideas/elements from the above works.

· Please read each of the above works and carefully watch the film. Keep track of your responses to each of the above works as these responses will make the writing of your final paper much easier. More on the elements of the actual paper will be discussed (generated) as we progress through the above works.

posted by Brady Kelso @ 9:09 AM