Eng.

102 (Honors): Literature and the Mythology of the Hero

Bean Trees topics and more!

We will be doing some preliminary work to help set up the paper, including some small-group
research presentations that you can use to kick-start your work. As you read the novel, think
about what topic might interest you and begin by making generous marginal notes you can use
later for illustrations and support in the paper.

If you can't possibly think of a topic you'd like to explore, you might consider some of the main
issues that I'm sure we'll discuss in class and the ideas we'll share in our online reflections. For
example, think about the following:

*The monomythic pattern in the novel. Who's the hero? How? Why?

*Issues of adoption and how handled in the book.

*The significance of Taylor's "head rights," her developing sense of cultural heritage

*The relationships in the novel--for instance, Taylor and her mother, Taylor and Lou Ann, Taylor
and Turtle, Lou Ann and husband, Mattie and Taylor, Taylor and Estevan, and any combination
of complex relationships in the novel.

*The symbolism of westward journey.

*Symbols such as the rhizobia and other signs of hidden life and potential.

*How the novel addresses political issues of immigration and other social problems.

*The pervasive theme of motherhood.

*Family as a redefined, powerful human idea.

*Importance of names and naming.

*The role of men in the novel.

*Bean Trees as a feminist manifesto: what are the distinctly female values and celebrations in the
book?

*Importance of language, metaphor, figurative designs in the novel--for instance, recurrence of

organic or natural imagery, the pervasive use of simile, use of stories within story.

*Vitality and authenticity of point of view and voice in the construction of the novel.
These are just a few of the many approaches you might take. For valuable insights into the novel
and loads of possible questions for writing, see Barbara Kingsolver's personal web site, with
useful links: http://www.kingsolver.com/.

I do not recommend use of general, popular sources, such as commercial study guides. They are
not respected scholarly sources:

http://www.gradesaver.com/classicnotes/titles/bean/
http://www.cliffsnotes.com/literature/b/the-bean-trees/book-summary
http://thebestnotes.com/booknotes/Bean_Trees/Bean_Trees01.html,
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/beantrees/

Definitely stay away from http://www.wikipedia.com for any college-level scholarly work,
though sometimes the bibliographies at the end of each article may be useful for finding credible
sources.

The scholarly value and reputation of such sources is, well, summed up in the name of another
high-schoolish site: monkeynotes.com. Kidding aside, such sources are very elementary, good
enough only for a sophomoric investigation. As college-level honors students, you should rely on
more authentic, respected, reputable, professional, scholarly sources in your research. Aspire for
more professional standards and do not rely on grade-school level research practices. You can do
better!

Don't hesitate to come confer about your work. I'm eager to help you write a good paper. Enjoy!