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Group Presentation

• 150 points (15% of total grade).

Directions:

Each group will give a 10-15 minute presentation on one of the assigned critical readings. The presentation should:

1. Identify the thesis and central claims in the article/chapter. 
2. Give an example of the way the author supports these claims.
3. Evaluate the argument. Is it strong? Does it use strong evidence? How does it relate with other scholarship we have read in this class?
4. Post the material for the presentation on the class wiki.
5. Sign up for group BELOW by putting name and WSU email on group page. Limit: 3 people per group.  

1)   Identify the thesis and central claims in the article/chapter. 

         a) Thesis: Jack Zipes examines how Hans Christian Andersen’s desire and struggle to ascend his social position in 19^th century Europe significantly influenced the synthesis of his literature.

2)   Give an example of the way the author supports these claims.

          a) Claim 1: Hans Christian Andersen struggled with his integration into the upper class

     i)     Hans Christian Andersen strongly desired to be completely accepted by upper class nobility

     ii)   Despite Hans Christian Andersen’s great success as a writer, his proletarian family background restrained his efforts to rise from the dominated class and into the dominating circle. This inspired his belief in natural nobility.

     iii)“…he devoutly believed that certain biologically determined people were chosen by divine providence to rise above others.” Zipes, 248.

     iv)  Andersen rationalized his need for recognition by the upper classes by asserting his own artistry as God given gifts that merited his progression in social hierarchy

          b)   

          a) Claim 2: Hans Christian Andersen infused his own dominated life into his tales by demonstrating a common thread 

     i)     Andersen was born in a ‘Lumpenproletariat” society

     ii)   “In almost all of Andersen’s early tales, he focuses on lower-class or disenfranchised protagonists, who work their way up and into society.” Zipes, 279

     iii)His tales are essential because they exposed similar motifs such as ““significance of providence, the essence of geniality, the role of the artist, the treatment of women, and the system of patronage.” Zipes, 271

          c) Claim 3: Hans Christian Andersen appealed to the lower class because he spoke from his own experience and struggles

     i)     “Everything In It’s Right Place” Zipes, 293.

     ii)   “The Gardener and His Master” Zipes, 298.

     iii)  “Andersen’s genius, despite his servility, rested in his inability to prevent himself from loathing all that he admired.” Zipes, 303.

3)   Evaluate the argument. Is it strong? Does it use strong evidence? How does it relate with other scholarship we have read in this class? 

         Jack Zipes makes an excellent argument establishing Hans Christian Andersen’s conflict with social order and how it translated into his literary tales. The evidence he uses, including excerpts from the works of Noëlle Bisseret, Finn Hauberg Mortensen, and Hans Christian Andersen himself enhance his argument by giving the reader a stronger insight into 19^th century Europe and motive behind Andersen’s work. In addition, Zipes’ use of Andersen’s actual literary fairy tales into his argument to connect his assertions could probably convince the most skeptical readers. Jack Zipes' argument relates to other scholarship's such as "Hansel and Gretel" and "Molly Whoopie" because hidden within these other fairy tales is a symbolic struggle with being lower class.

FRE2991 group 7 presentation.pptx

Jessica Brumley ei3229@wayne.edu

Alliah Davis eu5601@wayne.edu

Alexandra Wolfe ff8323@wayne.edu