Topic 1: Analysis of J.D. Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye and Jonathan Safran Foer’s Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
Focus 1: Comparing and contrasting Holden Caulfield and Oskar Schell. Holden is a particularly unique narrator that has laid the groundwork for a new class of narrators to follow: I would be asserting that Oskar is essentially inspired by (and a product of) Holden’s first-hand account in Catcher in the Rye. Although both characters face vastly different circumstances and have different viewpoints on life, the "relatibility" of both narrators and their powerful voices are quite noteworthy. I would also be addressing the fact that both characters are troubled in their adolescent years and that each character is greatly impacted by a family death (Holden’s brother Allie and Oskar’s father Thomas Jr.). Additionally, both narrators display somewhat of a positive change by the novel’s end: Oskar visits his father’s grave (showing strength and a willingness to somewhat move on) and Holden saying that he might consider returning to school).
Topic 2: Moneyball and either The Great Gatsby or a book about the Black Sox Scandal of 1919
Focus 2: I would be comparing and contrasting different methods of success (with a particular focus on the economic principles behind these strategies. While the Oakland Athletics utilize a completely new system of evaluating baseball talent and work their way to the top in a gradual, yet fully honest manner, Jay Gatsby in Great Gatsby and the players on the 1919 Chicago White Sox team placed instant gratification ahead of long-term benefit and and dishonestly take a shortcut to success. In the end however, the shortcut ends up hurting the individuals who greedily attempt to work their way to the top, while a well thought out plan and hard work ultimately pays off, as depicted in Moneyball.
Topic 3: One Flew The Cuckoo’s Nest and Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
Focus 3: Examining the idea of silence speaking louder than words. Both The Chief and Thomas Sr. are unable to speak, yet have considerable impacts in their respective novels, especially at the end of both stories. It would be interesting to look further into this topic and see where it takes me.
I love all these ideas. They are each interesting in their own way and ultimately I think they would all lead to a great paper. It seems as though you have put more thought into Topic 1 and Topic 2, although Topic 3 is a very interesting assertion. My favorite is Topic 2. I think this would just be a very interesting paper and because you love baseball so much and economics I think you would have fun writing it. Its a different kind of topic, something unlike anything we've done in school before so I think this would be a great opportunity to write something like that. While I know it may be the hardest choice, I think ultimately in the end it will pay off.
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