From reading the short story "The Boat", what are the effects when people refuse to be restricted to the confines of a particular society? This is an essay topic that I chose, and I am not sure if my three subtopics cover it all (anger/disappointment, loss, and gaining potential).Please help.
Who would be angry? The person who refuses to be restricted or the society he/she is at odds with? What kind of loss? And what do you mean by gaining potential? The potential for what?
My subtopics do not only apply to characters that refuse to be restricted, it is also about the people around them. Do you want me to send you a link of the story?
To analyze the effects of people refusing to be restricted to the confines of a particular society based on Ha Jin's short story "The Boat," it's important to consider the various aspects of the narrative that illustrate these effects. While your chosen subtopics of anger/disappointment, loss, and gaining potential are a good starting point, it is necessary to ensure that they adequately cover the central theme. Here's an approach to help you expand on your subtopics and explore additional aspects:
1. Anger/Disappointment:
- Explore how the characters in the story experience anger and disappointment as a result of their refusal to conform to societal expectations.
- Analyze specific instances in the story where characters express their frustration, such as Shouhua's resentment towards his father's indoctrination attempts or the protagonist's anger at witnessing injustices within his community.
- Consider the consequences of this anger and disappointment on the characters' relationships, personal growth, and sense of belonging within society.
2. Loss:
- Examine the ways in which the characters in "The Boat" face various types of loss as a result of rejecting societal constraints.
- Focus on the loss of identity, family ties, cultural roots, or opportunities that occur when individuals choose a different path from what is expected of them.
- Look at specific examples, such as the protagonist's loss of connection with his family due to his divergent interests or the gradual erosion of traditional values within the community.
- Discuss the emotional toll of these losses and how they shape the characters' perspectives and actions.
3. Gaining Potential:
- Discuss how refusing to be bound by societal restrictions opens up opportunities for personal growth, self-discovery, and the fulfillment of individual potential.
- Analyze examples from the story to show how characters find new pathways for themselves outside of conventional norms, such as the protagonist's journey to pursue his passion for writing despite cultural expectations.
- Explore how these newfound possibilities lead to empowerment, a sense of freedom, and the ability to redefine their own identities.
Furthermore, consider incorporating the author's writing style, symbolism, and narrative techniques to strengthen your arguments and provide a deeper analysis of the story's message.
Remember, this essay topic is subjective, and it is essential to support your arguments with evidence from the text, providing quotes and examples to strengthen your analysis. Always ensure your subtopics align with the main theme and maintain a logical flow throughout the essay.