Feed Analysis: What Can Fiction Show Us?

What can fiction show us?

Although Feed is a fictional book and most of the events are absolutely unreal, other elements of the book reflect aspects of real life. In fact, the book touches on many themes we think about regularly: 1) the importance of individuality (and/or conformity), 2) the notion of happiness, 3) the conflict between “real” and virtual experience (one provided by technology), 4) empathy and the ability to care for others in meaningful ways, 5) the importance of memory, 6) the loss of culture (reading and writing for example), and 7) the omnipresence of advertising and consumerism, to name some of these.

Writing Task: Consider the themes presented in Feed; choose one and analyze how M.T. Anderson presents and explores this theme. (Think to yourself: what is this book really about?) Select passages that connect to your theme and develop an overarching opinion about what the book has to say about this theme. (You could focus on a single character, a relationship, an important event, or any other element of the book to illustrate your theme and focus.)

After your analysis, connect to our real life; does M.T. Anderson's offer us any useful ways to view our own behavior? (Think metaphorically!)

Your essay should:

Provide thorough background information.

Develop a Thesis Statement.

Support the Thesis of the essay with clearly stated supporting points.

Develop focused paragraphs.

Paraphrase passages from the book to support the points in your paragraphs. Use direct quotes & from the book. Give credit to the author when appropriate.

Analyze the text.

Explain the connections between your ideas and examples.

Conclude your essay so that the reader understands that you are finished.

ESSAY REQUIREMENTS:

1. Follow “Guidelines for Written Work;”

2. Length 3 pages, double spaced, one-inch margins, top, and bottom, left and right;

3. Use a regular 12 point font (Times New Roman for example);

4. Include a list of your resources on a separate page at the end of your essay.