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Research Paper Outline For A Mark On The Wall

981 Words4 Pages

Amin Hashemi Esfahanian
Neil MacAlister
English 1123
25 March 2023
Research Essay Proposal
Introduction:
In this essay, I will be analyzing Virginia Woolf's short story "A Mark on the Wall." My intention is to examine the themes of closure and feminist consciousness in the story, as well as Woolf's experimental approach to fiction writing. Through an analysis of the protagonist's contemplation of a mark on her wall, I will explore how Woolf challenges traditional techniques of coherence and logic, and how this reflects her feminist perspective on society and culture during the early 20th century.
Thesis Statement:
In Virginia Woolf's "A Mark on the Wall," the protagonist's contemplation of the identity of the mark serves as a vehicle for Woolf …show more content…

The story lacks closure and leaves many mini-stories unfinished. The narrator warns against complacency and the assumption of knowledge. (Narey 37)

Annotated bibliography:
1. Marder, Herbert. "The Mark on the Wall: Overview." Reference Guide to Short Fiction, edited by Noelle Watson, St. James Press, 1994. Gale Literature Resource Center, link.gale.com/apps/doc/H1420008797/GLS?u=vanc85972&sid=bookmark-GLS&xid=1187c48c. Accessed 19 Mar. 2023.
This article provides an overview of Virginia Woolf's short story "The Mark on the Wall." The writer argues the style of writing and themes of the story and its significance from the perspective of Woolf. The source is credible as it is published in a reputable reference guide and available through the Gale Literature Resource Center, a reliable database of literary criticism.
2. Hussein, Ahmed T. "Filling in the Blanks: Perceiving Space through Gender in Virginia Woolf's 'The Mark on the Wall'." Academic Research International, July 2012, …show more content…

This article supports this perspective by discussing an analysis of the text and feminism. The credibility of the source is established by its publication in an academic journal and availability on ResearchGate, a reputable platform for scholarly research sharing.
3. Cyr, Marc D. "A Conflict of Closure in Virginia Woolf's 'A Mark on the Wall'." Short Story Criticism, edited by Thomas J. Schoenberg and Lawrence J. Trudeau, vol. 79, Gale, 2005. Gale Literature Resource Center, link.gale.com/apps/doc/H1420063952/GLS?u=vanc85972&sid=bookmark-GLS&xid=e51d3cbc. Accessed 19 Mar. 2023. Originally published in Studies in Short Fiction, vol. 33, no. 2, Spring 1996, pp. 197-205.
This article explores the tension between closure and openness in "The Mark on the Wall," arguing that Woolf challenges traditional narrative structures by leaving the story's central mystery unresolved. The author draws on literary theory and close textual analysis to support their argument. The source is credible as it is published in a reputable literary journal and available through the Gale Literature Resource

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