Theory of Self
(a Lit. Individual Production)
Write about 350 words on a theory of self or identity as presented in the stories. You should use yourself as part of the discussion but you should expand your analysis to include:
· Characters from the stories
· Comments from the narrators
· Events and their outcomes from the stories
Consider some of the following:
1. Contradictory/ inexplicable behavior: What habits or behaviors don’t seem logical? Which are self-destructive or unproductive? Why do you think you/the character/people do them?
2. What is the role of memory? If memory is not dependable (and it is not. Not at all.), what does that mean about your idea of your self? If you select certain memories for your narrative of who you are…is that who you are?
3. Try to pinpoint aspects of self that characters get from parents, community, media, or anything outside of themselves. (These can be a lot of things: thoughts, opinions, values, mannerisms…) Do you/people ever question them? Which ones are too deeply ingrained to change?
4. Are people ever evil or are they just the product of a bad childhoodAre we “good” until the world kicks us around? Are we bad until punished rewarded?
5. Can people change? What is self growth? For what are you/they not responsible?
6. What do people need beyond physical safety and food? What should be the main pursuit in life? Does it matter what we pursue?
7. What is the relevance of others in defining ourselves? What people or types of people do you look at and say “I’m not like them because ____”? What characteristics or traits do you dislike in a person?
8. What is the role or effect of institutions? Of media?
9. Um, is this enough to get going? What did you learn in Psych class about the self? What did you read in Self magazine?