Cultural and Historical Reading:  Inquiry #2

Assignment
Using The Bird Artist as your analytical text, consider a well-focused interrogation of a specific area of the novel (one character, one theme, supporting element) on an historical or cultural basis. The interrogation question you develop for the minor paper proposal will need to stem from relevant research done within your specific historical or cultural context.

Using five to six sources, you will develop a proposal question for the Inquiry #2 paper. The sources should not simply be about the novel, but rather ones that explore the cultural and historical context of your text (for example, mastery of bird artistry, a rather specific niche in the art world, would use sources that view histories of certain artists—especially those of Fabian Vas’ times, the methods of teaching the form, the culture of that specific area of the art world, etc.). Find research that supports a specific area of analysis of a limited scope. Come up with a question that will be answered through your research.

In the paper, analyze the historical and cultural contexts of your historical or cultural area of inquiry. Make an argument for how these contexts can better help the reader understand the overall novel. This cultural and historical context helps to create your interpretation of the novel, which is then transferred into a research paper that argues for your interpretation. While others in the class may come up with a different interpretation, what matters here is the validity of your point of view based upon your research.

In terms of the basic needs of the essay beyond research, you will need to develop a specific claim/thesis. You must include at least four secondary sources from your minor paper proposal unless I have told you otherwise. Create an engaging lead paragraph, move smoothly from one topic to the next within the essay/between paragraphs, and come to a conclusion by the end that explains the novel on the basis of your interrogation question/thesis.