literature review

Instruction
These essays are in two parts, answer one in each segment, that is, Segment A and Segment B, Making a total of two essays to be submitted in all.

Segment A: long answer (500 words)
Select ONE of the following options to write a long answer response. Your response does not have to take the form of a formal essay (ex. you are not required to have an intro, body paragraphs or conclusion). Instead you can write 1-2 paragraphs to answer the question. Your response should include direct evidence from at least one course text in the form of quotations or specific details. A Work Cited page is required.

Option 1: Which course text do you think has the strongest anti-war message and why is that message so effective?

Option 2: Which course text do you think portrays military masculinity most effectively and why?

Segment B: Formal Essay (1000 words)

Use ONE of the following essay topics to write a formal literary essay. Your essay should include an introduction, thesis, body paragraph and conclusion. There should be evidence (quotations) included in your answer. A Work Cited page is required. You can use the same text as you used in essay 1 to answer any of the following options:

Option 1: GENDERED VIOLENCE: Violence against women, and more generally, the devaluation of femininity, is a pressing issue that is evident in many socio-cultural contexts, including the military. Using examples from at least TWO different texts, discuss how military systems target or victimize women or girls with violence, and/or devalues femininity more generally (ex. with sexist language, homophobia, etc.).
Option 2: PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACTS: Using specific examples from at least TWO different texts, explain the psychological impacts of war on those who are involved. You might want to reflect on the examples of PTSD that we’ve come across in specific characters, or speak more broadly about the psychological impacts on soldiers or civilians.

Option 3: INDOCTRINATION: Throughout many texts, we’ve read or watched examples of how civilians are trained, taught, or even some might argue ‘brainwashed’ to think and act like soldiers. In your essay, discuss examples of military indoctrination and identify the specific lessons or norms that are ingrained in soldiers. Are these lessons helpful or hurtful?

The two text: A gesture life and Maus 1 and 2