19 Annotated Bibliography

Beck, Debra Baker. “The ‘F’ Word: How the Media Frame Feminism.” NWSA Journal, vol. 10, no. 1, 1998, pp. 139–53. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/4316558. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

The article by Beck explores how media portrayals shape public perceptions of feminism. It examines framing strategies that depict feminism negatively or stereotypically, contributing to misconceptions about the feminist movement. Women who are portrayed in media are usually never portrayed objectively because the people who run the media are not female and are usually overruled by a male. In turn, this forces the viewers to see the movements as nothing more than a small catfight and that women want more each time instead of the greater movement. Beck proposes when women make strides toward independence or equality; backlash will occur in response. However, new feminist media has emerged as a response.

Beechey, Veronica. “On Patriarchy.” Feminist Review, no. 3, 1979, pp. 66–82. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/1394710. Accessed 8 Dec. 2024.

Beechey goes over the differences in patriarchy within different realms of feminism. Within each realm, patriarchy is defined in different terms depending on how that feminist movement or group of people define their feminist movement. Beechey dives into how each group not only defines patriarchy but also how they feel women are being oppressed and how there are good aspects to each group but how they also have their own downsides.

Boubekeur, Sihem. “Teaching Short Stories through the Use of the Reader-Response Theory: Second-Year Students at Dr. Moulay Tahar University-Saida.” Arab World English Journal, vol.12, no. 2, June 2021, pp. 83–92. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=EJ1311806&site=ehost-live&scope=site.

This source looks at Reader Response and considers the learner as an active participant in extracting meaning from a literary work depending on their prior experience. It also asks to what extent does the Reader-Response Theory contributes to the development of the EFL students’ skills. Research was conducted and revealed that students become aware of how to undertake an academic written piece. It also reinforces their thinking skills and boosts their creativity.

Carr, Deborah. “Good Grief: Bouncing Back from a Spouse’s Death in Later Life.” Contexts, vol. 5, no. 4, 2006, pp. 22–27. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/41801003. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

This source focuses on how grief affects the spouse in many different ways. The speaker begins by giving an example of a woman who “seemed fine” when it came to grieving her husband which resulted in confusion from those around her. The main points that this article explains are the science of grief and how it affects spouses of different ages and sex. There are also a few tables that help in providing evidence for the reader to further demonstrate the point of the thesis. This will be beneficial in analyzing Doug’s unique grief journey in Jess Walter’s “The Dark” as it shows the suggested reasonings to Doug’s behavior. This source would be used as evidence in a critical analysis essay to demonstrate the different ways that spouses react to one’s death.

Dean, James C. “Grief and Attachment.” Journal of Religion and Health, vol. 27, no. 2, 1988, pp. 157–65. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/27505968. Accessed 5 Dec. 2024.

This source is a scientific take on the human mind after a significant loss of someone close to them. The journal article toes through the psychological and physical consequences of grief which sparks various amounts of reactions from the individual. It also includes how attachment theory plays into loss and grief as it helps understand the grief process of the individual. The source ends by explaining different program and research ideas which come from the authors experience. It will be very beneficial in a critical analysis of Jess Walter’s “The Dark” as it helps focus on the themes of grief weaved through the piece. The main character, Doug, goes through a major loss of his wife and this source could help explain everything scientifically of what he is going through.

Debbie Dartnell, et al. “The Mourning After: A Group for Bereaved Caregivers.” Group, vol. 41, no. 2, 2017, pp. 119–34. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.13186/group.41.2.0119. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

This source focuses on how bereavement support groups affect the individual attending them. This particular article focuses on the benefits in hopes to help other support groups. The subjects discussed in the groups include themes of loss and hopelessness while also focusing on self advocacy to try to move forward. The article also explains that these support groups positively affected each individual, but there is not enough research done as of this moment. This source applies to “The Dark” as the main character, Doug, is going through a major loss of his wife. It would be used in a critical analysis manner that focuses on the theme of grief, especially as a spouse or caregiver. This source could help demonstrate how important it is to talk it out, especially in a support group. There are certain things he did not do because of the way he was grieving, but this source could help demonstrate positive ways that could have helped Doug.

Dunn, Robert G. “Self, Identity, and Difference: Mead and the Poststructuralists.” The Sociological Quarterly, vol. 38, no. 4, 1997, pp. 687–705. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/4121086. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

This source focuses on commonalities between George Herbert Mead and the writings of other poststructuralists. It highlights the dynamism of poststructuralism even as philosophers and literary critics refine it to a general methodology, pointing out how some connect subjectivity and the concept of meaning to the concept of discourse whereas Mead, the focus of the paper, philosophizes more about the notions of behavior and the social self in relation to deconstruction. This leads to the ideas of self, identity, and difference that form the title of this paper and provide a philosophical backing to the deconstructive approach of analyzing Jess Walter’s “The Dark”, touching on fragmentary ideas about one’s sense of self.

Ellis, John M. “What Does Deconstruction Contribute to Theory of Criticism?” New Literary History, vol. 19, no. 2, 1988, pp. 259–79. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/469336. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

This article examines the challenges of critiquing and characterizing deconstruction as a theoretical framework. It highlights the tensions between those who support this theory and those who are disinclined to use it, with insiders theoretically being the ones who are able to understand the nuances of deconstruction best. That said, the text also acknowledges the ways that adherents themselves argue for and against certain aspects of deconstruction, with the idea that disagreement and differing views are necessary for the growth of any theory. The article itself overall attempts to clarify what deconstruction is and what it offers to literary criticism, while being quite open about the benefits and drawbacks of using it in analysis.

Fischer, M. J. Michael. “Culture and Cultural Analysis as Experimental Systems”. Anthrosource. 7 January 2008.https://anthrosource.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1525/can.2007.22.1.1. Accessed Nov 24 2024.

The article argues for a nuanced understanding of culture as a relational and dynamic concept. It traces the evolution of cultural analysis in anthropology, emphasizing its role in shaping our understanding of social action and human experience. By recognizing culture as a complex interplay of forces beyond individual control, the author challenges the reductionist view of culture as a mere variable. Instead, culture is seen as a space where meaning is created, contested, and renewed. The article highlights the importance of cultural analysis in addressing contemporary challenges.

Garzón, Eliana, and Harold Castañeda-Peña. “Applying the Reader-Response Theory to Literary Texts in EFL-Pre-Service Teachers’ Initial Education.” English Language Teaching, vol. 8, no. 8, Jan. 2015, pp. 187–98. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=EJ1075453&site=ehost-live&scope=site.

This article conducts a research study to see how the implementation of Reader Response affects students. Two short stories are looked at and took place over a 16-week period in which students kept a portfolio of their written responses to the stories. Results showed that it encourages a meaning seeking process as well as the development of higher order thinking skills in future language teachers.

Hall, Stuart. “Notes on Deconstructing the ‘Popular’.” People’s History and Socialist Theory, edited by Raphael Samuel, Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1981, pp. 228-239. https://la.utexas.edu/users/hcleaver/357k/HallPopularCulture.pdf

In this article Stuart Haul gives his interpretation of cultural studies, and what popular culture means within the study of culture, setting a framework for how to few the evolution of popular culture. He talks about the different forces at play within culture and how those forces impact and influence the resultant culture. He also talks about how popular culture has changed and shifted over time, passed trends and the current trend it is on.

Harnois, Catherine. “Re-Presenting Feminisms: Past, Present, and Future.” NWSA Journal, vol. 20, no. 1, 2008, pp. 120–45. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/40071255. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Catherine Harnois, in “Re-presenting Feminisms: Past, Present, and Future,” investigates the generalized differences in contemporary American feminism through the eras to better understand “third-wave feminism.” It highlights the diverse perspectives within feminism, emphasizing the intersection of race, class, and gender. Harnoi’s explores how contemporary feminism challenges past movements and shapes future feminist theory and practices. This article helps better understand the eras and new movements in feminism within the differences and similarities between both.

Heiss, Jerold. “Gender and Romantic-Love Roles.” The Sociological Quarterly, vol. 32, no. 4, 1991, pp. 575–91. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/4120904. Accessed 8 Dec. 2024.

This writing by Heiss explains how women and men have different gender roles in different areas of life. Examining how these love relationships are defined by the parties and how these definitions change based on multiple circumstances in the relationship. Heiss emphasizes the male is most likely the dominant in the relationship, which changes the dynamics between couples.

Henthorne, Tom. “Approaching The Hunger Games Trilogy: A Literary and Cultural Analysis”. Mcfarland, 2012. Google Books. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=AyqesEOQ4P8C&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=cultural+analysis+in+literature&ots=rV15OeScnT&sig=QH2pVI5QHZ2VhvsBwjZY8jaNvr0#v=onepage&q=cultural%20analysis%20in%20literature&f=false.  Accessed Nov 24 2024.

In this literary criticism created by Tom Henthorne he goes over how the hunger games has become such a large part of our culture as well as how our culture impacted the writing, the characters, and the plot of the hunger games. He talks about how our current culture is likely represented in the hunger games and the implications. Thankfully, a good portion of the book is accessible.

Iskhak, et al. “A Review on Reader Response Approach to Teaching Literature at EFL Contexts.” English Language Teaching, vol. 13, no. 7, Jan. 2020, pp. 118–23. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=EJ1259612&site=ehost-live&scope=site.

The review explores the philosophical basis of the application of Rosenblatt’s Reader Response Theory. This critical review highlights the possible classroom practices as framed by Reader Response Theory principles that offer freedom and enjoyment in reading literary works to face the sophistication of varied modern 21st century educational web-based platforms that lead to the use of e-response journal and e-literature circles by means of e-peer-reviewing.

Mart, Cagri Tugrul. “Reader-Response Theory and Literature Discussions: A Springboard for Exploring Literary Texts.” New Educational Review, vol. 56, Apr. 2019, pp. 78–87. EBSCOhost, doi:10.15804/tner.19.56.2.06.

This article itself dives into defining the Reader-Response Theory and its importance in academia. The potential value of classroom discussions helps learners to express their emotional reactions, to elicit their responses, to nourish their perspectives for furthering depth of their interpretation, to corroborate their opinions and share their responses for building a social relationship. The article emphasizes its importance and how important it is in application.

Parkes, Colin Murray. “Coping with Loss: Bereavement in Adult Life.” BMJ: British Medical Journal, vol. 316, no. 7134, 1998, pp. 856–59. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/25178592. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

This source focuses on different aspects of grief when it comes to adult life. The journal article starts by explaining the science behind grief by sharing results from a recent study and also talking about different components of the grief cycle. Then it focuses on how the average adult grieves and assessing how that journey is going. The source also focuses on complicated grief cycles and how to prevent it and treat it which may be different than the average cycle. Overall, the source would be an excellent addition to a critical analysis focusing on the theme of grief in “The Dark,” by Jess Walters. The main character, Doug, goes through the loss of his wife and demonstrates how he is grieving through his thoughts and actions.
Tötösy de Zepetnek, Steven. “From comparative literature today toward comparative cultural studies.” CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture 1.3 (1999): 2.https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1041&context=clcweb. Accessed Nov 24 2024.
Steven Tötösy de Zepetnek proposes a new field, “comparative cultural studies,” that bridges the gap between comparative literature and cultural studies. This approach involves analyzing literature within a cultural context, applying comparative literature methods to cultural studies, and studying culture comparatively across different cultures. By challenging traditional hierarchies and promoting a more pluralistic approach, this field aims to offer a more comprehensive understanding of cultural phenomena.

 

Treffry, Lindsey. “Spokane Author Jess Walter Wins O. Henry Prize for ‘The Dark’.” The Spokesman-Review, 26 May 2024, www.spokesman.com/stories/2024/may/06/spokane-author-jess-walter-wins-o-henry-prize-for-/. Accessed 12 Nov. 2024.

 Lindsey Treffry reports on how Jess Walter received the O. Henry Prize for one of short stories earlier in the year 2024. She provides some crucial background on the history of the prize itself. This source serves primarily as biographical to establish Jess Walter’s esteem as an author and to give more context to what makes his writing so interesting to critics and readers alike. Quoting Walter himself, Treffry recounts how other prestigious authors such as Flannery O’Connor and William Faulkner were also awarded the O. Henry Prize, drawing a connection between Walter and several more well known literary legacies. This article also provides an interesting explanation as to a shift in the way the O. Henry Prize is presented, how it is turned to focusing on anthologizing and uplifting multiple authors together rather than simply naming one winner alone.

 

Walter, Jess. “Jess Walter on the Highsmithian Principles of Suspense.” LitHub, 16 Dec. 2022, lithub.com/jess-walter-on-the-highsmithian-principles-of-suspense/. Accessed 12 Nov. 2024.

 In “Jess Walter on the Highsmithian Principles of Suspense”, Jess Walter writes about what he searches for in his favorite stories. At the time of writing, he is in the process of editing and collecting short stories for The Best American Mystery and Suspense, so he shares examples of what he posits can create the perfect amount of suspense in a short story and what draws him to some of his own personal favorites. He goes into detail about what suspense is and why it is fundamental to the stories that he reads as well as the ones he creates. What this does is allow the reader to understand more about Jess Walter and how he sees the mechanics of a story laid out in front of him when he is reading or writing. While the surface level conversation in the article revolves mostly around the idea of suspense as a technique used correctly or incorrectly in other authors’ stories, his clear adoration for the art of writing a short story can be seen throughout. This provides some biography on the author, as it illuminates how the techniques and details, he talks about can be cross applied to what inspires his own writing as well.

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Beginnings and Endings: A Critical Edition Copyright © 2021 by Liza Long is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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