Chapter: "Struggling Against the Tide: Narrative Structure and
the Human Connection in Jaws"
Excerpt from the chapter:
The film is a collection of narratives and much of the
tension arises from the movement into and out of a collective narrative as well
as from the existence of smaller counter narratives fighting for validation
under the dominating master narrative. The smaller counter narratives create
tension when contextualized within the legitimized master narrative. In this
story context, the tension between the master and counter narratives serves a
functional purpose. Consider if the town leaders had immediately agreed with
Brody and closed the beaches. Or even if they had soon agreed. There would have
been no tension. No tension. No story. The tension between narratives is both
real and effective because it is structurally impactful and audience relatable.
As the community leaders gradually acknowledge the threat of the shark, Brody’s
counter narrative forms and develops. As his counter narrative becomes more
defined, the tension between the two narratives increases until midway through
the film when there is a shift of emphasis from the external conflict to
Brody’s internal conflict. The resolution of Brody’s internal conflict results
in his new identity.
*****
Busted families, broken hearts, secrets and corruption are the lifeblood of The CW’s gothic horror series Riverdale. The show is based on the original Archie comics, but this sinister town is a far cry from the wholesome, anyplace USA depicted in 80 years of the teen adventures featuring Archie, Jughead, Betty, Veronica, and the rest of the gang. This Riverdale is an other-worldly, ominous place where enigmatic parents and cunning town leaders hide wicked secrets while teens struggle to survive.
The Riverdale gang face the definitive dilemma: good vs. evil. They fight ghouls, a cult leader, a serial killer, and each other—all while sporting inspiring outfits and photo-ready hair. Great music, the occasional Vixens cheer dance-off, and too-steamy-for-high-school sex scenes add an undeniable layer of watchability to the fan-favorite show.
This Binge Watcher’s Guide will get you through the first four seasons. Keep the book beside you while binge; the trivia, quotes and episode commentaries will inform and entertain. Want more? The literary analysis, connection to the comics, and resources have you covered.
Get your copy on Amazon or the publishers website.
*****
This college text focuses on the nuts and bolts of academic writing including research, textual analysis, narrative and inquiry methods. This is an ideal text for first year composition courses.
An OER, paperback 5.89, available on Lulu.com
*****
Chapter: Exclusionary Structure or Cultural Clash, why do Immigrants Dropout? a Comparison of One Group in Two Different Countries
Excerpt from chapter's introduction:
The issue of students willingly disengaging and dropping out
of secondary school is controversial due to the varying views on causality and
accountability. The controversy is further intensified by common assumptions
and lack of concern stemming from an unrealistic notion that the issue is an
individual problem rather than a community/state/national problem. Perhaps as
the world becomes increasingly networked and the issue extends beyond
individuals to include all citizens in a country, secondary school dropout
rates are a global concern (Kjaer, 2004). Exploring external factors, forces
that originate from institutions such as educational systems and policies, and
internal factors, forces that originate from within the student’s culture such
as the student’s immediate family and immigrant community, is an urgent
necessity. This chapter explores the balance between these external and
internal factors and how these relate to the dropout rates of first and second
generation immigrants. Global level statistics collected by Eurydice (2004) and
other educational organizations will be used to provide evidence that this
complex issue involves both internal and external factors.
Chapter is in text: The Immigration & Education Nexus
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For fiction Melissa Ford Lucken's titles, visit Isabelle Drake.
