Allrightie - I’ve a sort of book analysis to write, and need help picking a book. I already have one in mind, but I’m open to suggestions.
One of my assignments in ‘Group Dynamics’ requires me to analyse a story where there’s a conflict within a group, or between leaders and members of a group. I’ll have to anaylse it wrt to expectations of the main characters, their goal, motivation, bias and personality traits. Then I’ll analyse the variations in perception and expectations, self-serving needs and group serving needs, and how they result in conflict. This is already more than I’m expected to do, but I’m sure I’ll find more things to analyse. Problably on how to handle each character.
I began writing ‘The Dark Room’ with this in mind - creation of a situation of conflict between children playing, but that’s not really working out. Now I’m thinking ‘Guns of Navarone’, ‘The Lord of the Rings’ or ‘Road to Perdition’.
Any recommendations? And no - not Mahabharata. Something I don’t know about… :D
7 Comments
Hm, not sure if this is what you’re looking for, but the Great Gatsby?
Don’t mean to be frivolous, but why not try a Jamesh Hadley Chase novel? Great conflict situations accompanied by a total lack of depth can be an interesting challenge.
a li’l late in the day, but group dynamics (albeit of a little offbeat sort) brings ‘Tokyo Cancelled by Rana Dasgupta to mind.
help?
Hmm…I’m not sure about the Great Gatsby. My problem is that I don’t feel like reading anything serious. I’ve heard that it’s a love story.
A James Hadlee Chase novel might be just right, actually. Issues would be very easy to identify, since things are bluntly put.
Smits- I’ve read a lot about Tokyo Cancelled. Might pick it up. Not too late, actually. I need to submit it next week.
Like we said, if you really want to read “Tokyo Cancelled”, take mine. Seriously not worth wasting Rs. 400 over. Not wasting any money over, but if you want to buy, why not buy it off me - you’ll get a discount. :-P
Group dynamics - “Justine” by Lawrence Durrell would be VERY interesting. “The English Patient” not as much, but still interesting. What about “Lord of the Flies”?
I’m with ‘Lord of the Flies’. Perhaps you could also try a Stephen King novel - lots of conflict there. If films are okay, you might try George Romero’s ‘Dead’ trilogy.
I third lord of the flies.
Gatsby does has some love story schtick in it.
Coetzee’s Waiting for the Barbarians?