ENG111.003 -- Introduction to Literature: Beholding Violence in Drama and Film

Prof. Eileen Joy

Spring 2012

FINAL EXAM

Figure 1. Ric Stultz, History of Violence (gouache and mixed media on paper, 2007)

Reflect upon the thematic aspects of this course and also upon some of their interrelations:

• betrayal and revenge
• violence
• tragedy
• rage
• passion/emotions
• artistic depiction of violence
• tragic beauty/wonder [see Sachs HERE]
• power
• enjoyment of violence
• fear [see Sachs HERE]
• pity [see Sachs HERE]
• tragic catharsis [see Sachs HERE]
• justice
• moral ambiguity*

*ambiguity = uncertainty, doubt, hesitation over choosing which way to go, possessing more than one possible (and even contradictory) meanings

Write an essay [2 FULL pages minimum, typed and double-spaced] that does not bore me, in which you reflect, in any way you see fit on any one or more of the subjects listed above in relation to what has "gone on" in this course this semester [reading-wise, viewing-wise, discussion-wise, thinking-wise, any-wise. [What has gone, actually? It's an interesting question, and I sometimes don't know myself, so help me out here.]

Your exam essay should be saved as a Microsoft Word file and sent to eileenajoy@gmail.com as an email attachment by Friday, May 4th, midnight.