Assignment: Your midterm essay is an analysis of an issue that troubles, fascinates, enlightens, or illuminates something within your chosen text(s). You should compare or contrast the ways at least two separate academic disciplines analyze this topic. While I will not give specific prompts (or questions) to you about where to concentrate your writing, I hope to offer many questions and issues during the lectures and class discussions.
My only designations are that you should write about the material that we have read, viewed, and discussed in Units One/1, Two/2 and Three/3. Thus: The Silence of the Lambs, Psycho, and Dexter or our readings from Natural Born Celebrities, and any concepts discussed in the discussion sections or lectures within those areas.
Example questions/topics:
• You may compare and contrast the way literary analysis would analyze Darkly Dreaming Dexter differently than a film analysis would be of the TV series. How does Dexter’s “heroic” vigilantism bleed into the real world?
• You may compare or contrast the film analysis of Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho with the medical or psychological diagnosis of Norman Bates. Is it possible to learn from the film’s fiction to allow us to see a “real world” perspective on serial killers?
• How would a criminal justice perspective on Hannibal Lecter differ from a social psychological profile? How does our academic knowledge change our viewing of the film?
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In my essay, I will analyze the issue of serial killers in the chosen texts of "The Silence of the Lambs," "Psycho," and "Dexter." Specifically, I will compare and contrast how literary analysis and film analysis approach these texts and their portrayal of serial killers. Additionally, I will explore the ways in which the fictional narratives in these texts can provide insights into the real-world understanding of serial killers.
One potential avenue for analysis is to examine how literary analysis and film analysis differ in their interpretation of "Darkly Dreaming Dexter" and the "Dexter" TV series. Literary analysis may focus on the written narrative and explore the symbolic elements and themes present in the text. For example, the concept of Dexter's heroic vigilantism may be explored in depth, examining the moral and ethical implications of his actions. On the other hand, film analysis may pay closer attention to the visual aspects of the TV series, such as cinematography and editing techniques, to analyze how the portrayal of Dexter's actions influences the viewer's perception of his character.
Furthermore, I could also compare and contrast the perspective of film analysis with medical or psychological diagnosis when examining Norman Bates in Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho." Through a film analysis, one may explore the techniques Hitchcock uses to create suspense and fear, such as the use of camera angles and music. However, from a medical or psychological perspective, one could diagnose Norman Bates and analyze his disturbed mental state. This raises the question of whether fiction in films like "Psycho" can provide insights into the real-world understanding of serial killers. Can the portrayal of Norman Bates in the film help us gain a deeper understanding of the psychological motivations of real-life serial killers?
Lastly, I would consider how a criminal justice perspective on Hannibal Lecter in "The Silence of the Lambs" differs from a social psychological profile. A criminal justice perspective may focus on analyzing Lecter's criminal behavior, motives, and patterns, while a social psychological profile may explore the underlying psychological and sociological factors that contribute to his actions. It would be interesting to examine the ways in which our academic knowledge of criminal behavior and psychology affects our viewing and interpretation of the film. Does having this knowledge enhance our understanding of Lecter's character and the themes explored in the film?
Overall, by comparing and contrasting the approaches of literary analysis, film analysis, medical diagnosis, and criminal justice perspectives, this essay will aim to shed light on the issue of serial killers as depicted in "The Silence of the Lambs," "Psycho," and "Dexter." It will also explore how these fictional narratives can offer insights into the understanding of serial killers in the real world.