Answer this question: How important are genre conventions in
determining the way madness is represented in The Book of
Margery Kempe?
Use these guidelines:
1)Single text or comparative
2)First step? Need to determine what genre
the text/s is/are first. What genre is MK, DQ? (MK: autobiography is problematic, mystical
writing/testimony options; DQ: novel is too broad a genre to be of
use, so need to refine this: picaresque novel)
3)Evaluate the extent to which genre conventions shape/impact representations – very important, somewhat important,
not really
important
(best to avoid last one!)
the text/s is/are first. What genre is MK, DQ? (MK: autobiography is problematic, mystical
writing/testimony options; DQ: novel is too broad a genre to be of
use, so need to refine this: picaresque novel)
3)Evaluate the extent to which genre conventions shape/impact representations – very important, somewhat important,
not really
important
(best to avoid last one!)
4)Research the conventions of each genre –
will not be able to include all of them so will need to select most useful for
text/for comparison of texts re: representations of madness specifically. E.g.,
what are some of the conventions of mystical writings that impact the way
madness is represented in MK? (E.g. first experience understood as
madness, but later ones as mystical because of convention of
sin/trials/redemption, which also structures the text)
5)Secondary sources not compulsory for
first essay but will need them here
will not be able to include all of them so will need to select most useful for
text/for comparison of texts re: representations of madness specifically. E.g.,
what are some of the conventions of mystical writings that impact the way
madness is represented in MK? (E.g. first experience understood as
madness, but later ones as mystical because of convention of
sin/trials/redemption, which also structures the text)
5)Secondary sources not compulsory for
first essay but will need them here
I have attached my essay so far below.