Ka Leng, Wong

Essay Instructions:

Using either Marxist or gender literary theory, write an interpretation of Hairstyles of the Damned. For a Marxist or economic determination analysis, you might consider how Brian's working class upbringing contributes to the formation of his identity and the choices he makes in the course of the book. For a gendered analysis, you might consider how the book portray male and female roles. What are the female and male role models in the book? How does Brian define an ideal “male” and an ideal “female” and how does that change over the course of the book? How do idealized notions of masculinity play a part in the formation of Brian's identity—does he accept those notions or does he reject them? You have the option to write a comparison/contrast essay using the film SLC Punk as the other text. (The movie is available on youtube and the link is available from Unit 2). In this case, you might want to consider the economic or gender aspects of SLC Punk compared and contrasted with Hairstyles of the Damned. Please note that plot summary alone is an insufficient method of making your argument. Remember, like any essay, you need a strong thesis statement, strong topic sentences that support the thesis statement, and supporting details. Instructions Each essay must use specific evidence from Hairstyles of the Damned and from at least two other sources for support. If you choose to use SLC Punk, that can be counted as one of the other sources. Supporting evidence can include specific textual references (paraphrasing and summarizing) and/or quotes. If you use quotes, the body paragraphs should have no more than two quotes to support your point and analysis. Quotes should be introduced with your own words and be properly cited using MLA format. Each body paragraph should begin and end with your ideas; thus, you need to clearly explain how the quote(s) you chose to use support your ideas. Remember that a strong introduction includes a brief introduction of the topic and main points, as well as a clear thesis that states the main idea of your essay. Each body paragraph should include a topic sentence, explanation of the ideas in the paragraph, specific examples to support your explanation (the quotes will be at least part of your example/examples), adequate explanation and analysis of all examples/evidence, and appropriate closure/transitions to finish the paragraph. The conclusion should restate your thesis and provide a final observation on the topic. Your essay should have an original title that reflects your topic and argument. MLA format: MLA stands for Modern Language Association, which provides a format for English papers to follow. The heading and the header are examples of the proper format for MLA style, which you must follow for this essay. The font must be 12 point Times New Roman font. The margins for all MLA formatted papers are one inch (top/bottom and left/right). Your essay should also include a Works Cited page and in-text parenthetical citation. The Works Cited page should follow your essay. Remember to transition from idea to idea within paragraphs and from paragraph to paragraph using transitional phrases/words, coordinating conjunctions (i.e. FANBOYS), subordinating conjunctions, and prepositional phrases.

Essay Sample Content Preview:

Ka Leng, Wong
Jessica Powers
ENGL 100
Belonging comes naturally and cannot be modified with the way a person attempts to modify it. It comes naturally. The novel "Hairstyle of the Damned" is an honest reflection of wanting to belong but in real sense never quite belonging. The movie shows the confused realities of American adolescents and the disintegration of the modern family. Having a mixed point of view in life usually impacts greatly a person`s life. The work of fiction in the novel intrepidly pursues the truth in what is involved when a person seeks to develop and find his/her own identity. Every person has a unique identity which should not be molded to adapt to a particular identity as every human being is unique in his/her own way.
The central character in the play "Hairstyles of the Damned" is Brian Oswald. Brian is a high school pariah who has trouble coping with his identity and he fights for this identity throughout the novel. Despite the fact that Brian is an outcast in his school, he manages to get a number of friends in the school despite the misfits that he has to struggle with throughout the novel. In the course of the novel, we are introduced to Gretchen who is a tough and punk girl. Brian admires every bit of what this girl does and envies the girl so much. Brian accounts that Gretchen courageous and can do things that Brian did not have the courage to do. Brian also had several other friends in the novel among them; Rod, who is a black American. The other friend is Mike who had very long hair that made him very popular in school. Instances of people struggling with their identity in the novel are rampant. Brian`s father for instance sleeps on the basement and when Brian tries to question him, he rubs it off just as if it is not a big problem. Joe, who is one of Brian`s friends also, has a problem trying to cope with the changes that take place when a person reaches puberty. A series of constant struggles are also evident between the parents and the teens when they are in their adolescent stages. Brian`s identity that is evident all through the novel is the fact that he loved music, Rod`s identity on the other hand was album (he made the greatest collections that no one has ever made before) and Mike`s identity was Floyd tapes. Brian is able to adapt to different characters depending on the type of music he was listening to at any given time. He has a lot of problems trying to fit in and also has a problem in having his own voice to accept actually who he is. In the course of the novel, Brian does not grow but his identity does (Hicks, 2003). After realizing that when a person struggles to modify his/her character, the results may not be desirable, Brian concludes that it is okay for a person to be just him/herself.
When the narrator/the protagonist mention one of the problems that he had, it is evident that people usually have a problem with associating with members of the society with specific identities. However, the protagonist was able to associate with her due to her outstanding character of courage. A person may have a physical disadvantage but the character of that person may make him/her be appreciated in the society. "The other problem I had was that I was falling in love with my best friend, Gretchen, who I thought the rest of the world considered fat" (Meno 3). Gretchen may have been considered fat and people may shy away from her but Brian became her friend and admired the way she did her things.
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Updated on January 26, 2024

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