Hi I am writting an essay on a book called 'Funny Boy' I have to answer this question:
Selvadurai raises questions about the nature of identity—national, familial, sexual, postcolonial, ethnic, racial—and how the suppression of one’s burgeoning or forming identity is problematic. Discuss the problems characters (three or fewer) in the novel face. Are clear resolutions to the problems of identity given?
I have started writing my thesis statement..which is very prelimanary at the moment:
The nature of identity in Funny Boy is highly negotiated and becomes fragmented as seen through Arjie, Aunt Radha and Arjie’s mother. Each character has a unique identity however, this individual identity is kept hidden and oppressed because of the identity characters are expected to have according to the social constraints and the norms of the society in Sri Lanka. This constant suppression leads to the characters living dual lives and facing various problems in the struggle towards forming an identity as clear resolutions are not provided for the problem of identity.
I just needed to know if the argument i am making is answering the question. Also it feels like an introduction rather than a thesis. I was thinking of discussing the overlap between national, familial, sexual, postcolonial, ethnic, racial in relation to identity either briefly in the intro and throughout the essay as i prove my argument. please help. thank u
how is this? How can I make the intro sentence better. please help.
Do the terms national, familial, sexual, postcolonial, ethnic and racial hold the same meaning? Ofcourse not. However, Selvaduri’s Funny Boy uses these concepts in such a way that the boundaries of these terms begin to collapse in one another, where familial becomes political and sexual becomes national. This mixing of boundaries results in the nature of identity in Funny Boy to become highly negotiated and fragmented, as seen through Arjie, Aunt Radha and Arjie’s mother. Each character has a unique identity however, this individual identity is kept hidden and oppressed because of the identity characters are expected to have according to the social constraints and the norms of the society in Sri Lanka. This constant suppression leads to the characters living dual lives and facing various problems in the struggle towards forming an identity as clear resolutions are not provided for the problem of identity.
Your preliminary thesis statement is a good start in addressing the question about the nature of identity in Funny Boy and the problems faced by the characters. However, as you mentioned, it reads more like an introduction rather than a clear thesis statement.
To refine your thesis and better answer the question, you can consider the following suggestions:
1. Identify specific problems of identity faced by the characters: Instead of mentioning a general struggle towards forming an identity, specify the problems faced by each character in relation to their national, familial, sexual, postcolonial, ethnic, and racial identities.
2. Emphasize the impact of suppression: Highlight how the suppression of their identities exacerbates the characters' problems and contributes to the fragmentation of their identities.
3. Discuss the absence of clear resolutions: Explore the ways in which the novel fails to provide clear resolutions to the characters' identity problems. This could involve discussing the challenges they face in reconciling their true selves with societal expectations or the consequences of living dual lives due to societal constraints.
4. Connect the problems to broader themes: To address the overlap between national, familial, sexual, postcolonial, ethnic, and racial identities, integrate these themes into your analysis of the characters' problems and the novel as a whole.
5. Make your thesis statement more concise: Condense the main elements of your thesis into a strong, single sentence that clearly outlines your argument.
Here's a revised version of your thesis statement to better align with the requirements of the question:
"In Funny Boy, Selvadurai portrays the problems of identity faced by characters such as Arjie, Aunt Radha, and Arjie's mother, who grapple with the fragmentation and suppression of their national, familial, sexual, postcolonial, ethnic, and racial identities. The novel showcases the challenges brought about by these identity conflicts and the lack of clear resolutions, highlighting the struggle to reconcile personal authenticity with societal expectations in a complex Sri Lankan context."
Remember to revisit and revise your thesis statement as you continue writing your essay to ensure that it accurately reflects your arguments and analysis.