EN119 Study Guide - Fall 2018, Comprehensive Midterm Notes - Gandalf, Cave, Bilbo Baggins
EN119
MIDTERM EXAM
STUDY GUIDE
Fall 2018
EN119 – LECTURE 1
Why do we tell stories?
- have been doing it since beginning of humankind
- communicate our past
1. Are stories a basic human need?
- seemingly physiological trait within us to enjoy stories
- some evolutionary advantage (survival mechanism, developmental ail)
- humans are social animals, we must learn to work together in groups…with the help of
stories
- understanding our roles in the group
- social glue
- reader must be intrigued by the story to activate social glue fxns
- stories help us process new situations, bring us to new awarenesses
- stories as a simulator for real life experiences
2. What is it about stories that have made them both humanly useful and at the same time
enjoyable?
- what engages you?
- how is it useful?
- stories give us a sense of identity (evolution, culture, family history, etc.)
- communicating our history as humankind and as individuals
- stories are engaging bc humans are naturally curious
- we try to relate ourselves to the stories we are told
- from stories we learn morals, history,
- use stories as an outlet to enter a different world
- HP: useful bc teaches morals & an outlet to find relaxation; enjoyable bc it is relatable but
yet so different, an alternate world
- Visuals have a great influence on the readers interpretation
Critical Tools (methodology)
- genre
- narrative
- character
- archetypes
- time & space
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
EN119 – LECTURE 2
Stories are Important in Our Evolutionary and Social Development
1. Community
2. Memorial
• A way of memorializing people, cultures, etc.
3. Education
Stories may also be important:
• Shift in perspective or “consciousness”
• Remind us of something ”higher”
• May connect virtual and real ‘worlds’ in spiritual ways
Methodology (Critical Tool Kit):
1. Genre
• Style of writing
o Fantasy
o Gothic
o Science fiction
o Historical romance
• Ex. What kind of house you will build (#2-5 = what kinds of room/furniture)
2. Narrative
3. Character
4. Archetypes
5. Time and Space
GENRE
Genre: a recurring type of literature or “literary form”, conceived of as a set of conventions
and codes, altering from age to age, but shared by a kind of implicit agreement or
“contract” between writer and reader.
• Sense of what genre is developed at young age
• Ex. Fantastic Beasts
o Fantasy genre…why?
▪ Castle
▪ Magic
▪ Music choice
▪ Mythical creatures
▪ Lack of realism
▪ Plot: good vs bad…though not unique to fantasy!
▪ Medieval references, historical fiction (ie. Castle)
• Alluding to the past
▪ Novelist makes unfamiliar/fantastical world by introducing fantastic
elements in realistic concepts
• Ex. The Premature Burial – Edgar Allan Poe
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Have been doing it since beginning of humankind. Seemingly physiological trait within us to enjoy stories. Some evolutionary advantage (survival mechanism, developmental ail) Humans are social animals, we must learn to work together in groups with the help of stories. Reader must be intrigued by the story to activate social glue fxns. Stories help us process new situations, bring us to new awarenesses. Stories give us a sense of identity (evolution, culture, family history, etc. ) Communicating our history as humankind and as individuals. Stories are engaging bc humans are naturally curious. We try to relate ourselves to the stories we are told. Use stories as an outlet to enter a different world. Hp: useful bc teaches morals & an outlet to find relaxation; enjoyable bc it is relatable but yet so different, an alternate world. Visuals have a great influence on the readers interpretation.
