- Explain the interpretive methodology of mimetic rivalry (doubling with a difference) and how one may use it to interpret what is at stake between conflicting groups, ideas, or values as they appear in a text. Give a brief example from one of the texts encountered in the course, identifying the literal rivals/doubles, the differences that suggest the differing groups/ideas the doubles represent, the literal object of contention and the idea it represents, and a detail or two that suggests why one group/idea should fail or succeed to win readers’ allegiance.
- Identify an internal or psychic conflict concerning the “right” or “wrong” use of desire, as defined by a text we read. Explain how or why the text appears to suggest that a use of desire is “right” or “wrong” (however the text appears to define those subjective terms).
- Identify a differing attitude, custom, or belief concerning love and/or desire (be specific) that appears in two different texts from two different time periods (separated by more than 100 years). Using general knowledge about the differing historical periods, explain how the differing economic, political, or social systems in which the texts were produced may have contributed to the differing attitude, custom, or belief that you have identified. Use evidence from the texts to support your answer.
- Many of the texts we read explore the power of language to create, preserve, define, or destroy desire or love/meaning between individuals, specific groups, or all of society. Identify a specific role played by language in relation to desire in one of the texts we read, and explain how/why language has that power, according to the text. Use evidence from the text (or ideas discussed in class) to support your answer.
Sample Solution