Writing Project #1: A literary Analysis

Writing Project #1: A literary Analysis

INSTRUCTIONS

Writing Project #1: A Literary Analysis 

Available points:    100 pts

Due Dates:             Rough draft (min 900 words) Mar 24

                               Final draft (min 1200 words) Mar 31

For this assignment, you will be asked to do a literary analysis on the novel There There by Tommy Orange. A literary analysis is a type of essay that closely examines, interprets, and analyzes a piece of literature for meaning. Feel free to use any and all of your notes or class material to complete this essay.

I’ve provided you with a choice of four different prompts for this essay. Please only choose one! 

Setting:

1) How does the physical environment – the neighborhoods, landmarks, homes and cultural spaces (to name a few) influence the characters’ sense of self and belonging? 

2) How is setting (the backdrop of urban Oakland, Alcatraz, etc) used to convey themes of displacement, cultural resilience and the search for identity in contemporary Native American life?

Character:

3) Select one of the characters from the novel and answer the following question:

     What does their journey reveal about the complexity of Native American identity in urban settings?

Theme:

4) What is the theme of the novel, and what are (at least) two key literary devices the author uses to illuminate that theme? Think about the theme as what the author is trying to capture about what it means to be human (socially, politically, culturally). Try to explore beyond the obvious.

Essay Requirements

1. 1200 word minimum. Please note your word count on the left of the essay under the date. You must hit the minimum word count in order for the essay to pass.
2. Essay must be typed and in MLA format. Here is a quick video of the requirements for MLA formatting.
3. Should be organized into paragraphs, focusing on a main idea for each paragraph.
4. Assume your audience has read the book, but might need to be refreshed on the overall idea. With that in mind include a very short summary in the introduction. Be sure to include the title of the book and the author in the introduction.
5. The essay should have developed body paragraphs that provide a focused in-depth analysis supported by evidence from the text.
6. The novel is the only source that should be used, no outside sources.
7. Essay should be written in the third person (avoid personal pronouns – “I, we, us, me”)
8. The rough draft is a part of the assignment. Failure to submit a rough draft in time for a peer review will result in a 1/3 drop in grade for the final essay. (For example, a B- will become a C+)

ANSWER

Exploring Urban Native American Identity in There There by Tommy Orange

In Tommy Orange’s novel There There, exploring urban Native American identification is the cornerstone of the narrative. Through the numerous solid characters grappling with the complexities of their history, the unconventional delves into profound topics of displacement, cultural resilience, and the quest for identity in modern-day Native American life. Each individual’s journey illuminates the difficult layers of Native American identity inside the city landscape, highlighting the demanding situations and triumphs of navigating cultural heritage amidst the pressures of modernity (Tommy Orange ). As the characters navigate their personal paths, Orange intricately weaves together their stories to offer a nuanced portrayal of urban Native American existence, inviting readers to interact with the multifaceted realities of identity formation and belonging in modern-day international. Through its exploration of personal journeys, There There confronts the complexities of Native American identification with intensity and authenticity, highlighting the resilience and variety of urban Native American communities.

Character Analysis: Opal Viola Victoria Bear Shield

Opal Viola Victoria Bear Shield stands as a stalwart figure in There There, embodying the intergenerational battle to keep Native American identity amidst the transferring landscape of urbanization. Her commitment to her cultural background is unwavering, verified via her energetic participation in powwows and her steadfast willpower to present traditional expertise to her grandchildren (Tommy Orange ). These efforts aren’t simply rituals but acts of resistance in opposition to the erasure of Native American history and lifestyle in city spaces.Opal’s journey exposes the deep-rooted disconnect between urban Native Americans and their ancestral traditions. As she navigates the streets of Oakland, she is faced with the stark truth of land loss and historical trauma, which retain to hang Native groups. Her reflections on the past are poignant reminders of the continued struggle for cultural survival in the face of systemic oppression. Despite the challenges posed by urbanization, Opal stays steadfast in her remedy to uphold her cultural identification, refusing to let it be diluted or erased by the pressures of modernity.

Moreover, Opal’s resilience serves as a beacon of wish for urban Native Americans striving to reclaim their historical past. In her unwavering dedication to bypass conventional teachings to the following era, she embodies the energy and perseverance of Native groups. Her character is a testimony to the enduring spirit of resilience that has sustained Native peoples in centuries of adversity.In essence, Opal Viola Victoria Bear Shield’s journey epitomizes the complicated interaction between culture and modernity, resilience, and resistance inside the city that Native Americans enjoy (Krivokapić & Runtić). Through her character, Tommy Orange sheds light on the challenges confronted by the aid of Native groups in preserving their cultural identification amidst the ever-converting landscape of city life. Opal’s story is not just a personal struggle but a reflection of the wider conflict for cultural survival and revitalization in the face of ongoing colonization and marginalization.

Analysis of Native American Identity in Urban Settings

Tommy Orange offers a wealthy tapestry of characters in There There, each representing a unique side of the urban Native American experience. Through the various forged, consisting of people like Tony Loneman and Jacquie Red Feather, Orange challenges stereotypes and confronts misconceptions about Native American identification, imparting a multifaceted portrayal of life in urban settings.Tony Loneman’s tale is a poignant exploration of the intersectionality of historical trauma and present-day struggles confronted by urban Native Americans (Tommy Orange ). Living with fetal alcohol syndrome, Tony grapples with physical and intellectual fitness-demanding situations that can be deeply rooted in the legacy of colonization and systemic oppression. His adventure, marked by isolation and self-doubt, sheds light on the complex interaction between non-public trauma and collective histories of dispossession and marginalization. Through Tony’s narrative, Orange underscores the significance of addressing intergenerational trauma and developing spaces for recovery and resilience inside Native communities.

Similarly, Jacquie Red Feather’s journey delves into the complexities of identification and belonging in city settings. As a recovering alcoholic searching for redemption, Jacquie confronts the ghosts of her past and wrestles with the legacy of dependence that has haunted her lifestyle. Her narrative highlights the resilience of Native American girls and the transformative electricity of network in overcoming adversity. Through Jacquie’s story, Orange explores how people navigate the complexities of their past, even striving to forge a feeling of belonging in the present (Ross & Sexton).Moreover, Orange’s portrayal of urban Native American existence celebrates the diversity and resilience of Native communities. By giving voice to a wide range of stories, he showcases the richness and complexity of the Native American lifestyle and the difficult monolithic representations perpetuated in mainstream media. Through the struggles and triumphs of characters like Tony and Jacquie, Orange highlights the resilience and power of urban Native Americans, illustrating their potential to adapt and thrive in the face of adversity.

In essence, There There gives a nuanced and compelling examination of Native American identification in city settings, presenting a mosaic of narratives that reflect the variety and resilience of Native groups through the trips of characters like Tony Loneman and Jacquie Red Feather, Orange invitations readers to confront their preconceptions and stereotypes, imparting a glimpse into the vibrant and multifaceted global of urban Native American life.

Exploring Identity and Belonging

At its essence, There There serves as a profound exploration of identity and belonging inside the context of city Native American lifestyles. Through the intricate narratives of its characters, Tommy Orange delves into the complexities of how people negotiate their feelings of self in environments where their cultural identity is frequently marginalized or erased.The novel vividly portrays the struggle of city Native Americans to keep their cultural traditions in the face of ongoing pressures to assimilate (Khan & Yeh). Characters like Opal, Tony, and Jacquie grapple with the tension between honoring their heritage and adapting to the realities of urban lifestyles. Their studies replicate the wider undertaking of keeping a sense of cultural identification while navigating the complexities of modernity and globalization.