Week 8: Topic Brainstorm - Project 2

For my second project I want to analyze the story Ramona, written by Helen Hunt Jackson. Which topic to choose will be the hard part. I feel the reading has so much to offer.

1.  Reflecting on its historical, social, political and/or economic context; focusing on race, class, power, cultural values and beliefs, historical events, the author's biography, gender, psychology, etc. 

Ramona is a story of an unlikely romance between a Spanish raised girl and Indian boy and is written as a social protest. The small excerpt of this story only shows a quick glimpse of the whole story. To make the most out of my project, I would like to read the full novel to address each context mentioned above. There is so much to be said about race, class, power, and cultural values and beliefs within this story.

2. How are class differences presented in the work? Are characters aware or unaware of the economic and social forces that affect their lives?

Again, for this topic, I feel like I would need to read the full novel to be able to effectively write about the main characters who are mentioned in the excerpt. Throughout the story, Ramona and Alessandro fight for everything and after they seemingly have won, it is all taken away because of their ethnic and social standing. The whole story is written about class differences and the impact of economic and social forces. 

3. Still choosing the reading Ramona:

    Choose one short story or novel excerpt. Write a piece in which you explore the following:

1.     In what ways could this story be considered an artifact of history?                                The author, Helen Hunt Jackson was an activist and wrote the story of Ramona and Alessandro with the hope to bring awareness to the treatment towards American Indians. Because this story was written during the height of this disturbing time in our American history, it references very real and plausible situations. 

2.     What does this story teach us about history? The story teaches us history from a different perspective. My generation might read about history or be taught about history, but we are so removed from these terrible things that it is hard to fathom the reality. Stories like this bring that reality to life. 

3.     How does a story teach us about a time or place differently than a history book?  Similar to question 2, history books reference time periods as a generalization. It is hard to personalize everything about history. History books also often tell the story from one point of view. This story brings a few different points of view to light.