Hey everyone! (sorry in advance if I mess up words, English is not my first language)
I'm new here, and I need some help. I am going to apply for a MA in Comparative Literature next year. I am already in touch with the head of the program, and she told me I should focus on trying to find a PhD dissertation subject, and its outline, since I pretty much already know what I want to research, and she would like to work with me.
For now, friends of mine told me what I came up with was fine, but I would really like to hear from people I don't know, to get some "neutral" advice.
For now, the subject I have is:
ONCE UPON A TIME: THE EDUCATIONAL DIMENSION OF FAIRY TALES, FABLES, MYTHS AND FOLKLORE
Appropriating and rewriting didactic stories; the challenges of adaptation
And the current outline is (with the general subjects I'll be developing in each part):
I. Introduction and definition of the field of research
II. The common structures and processes (literature, psychoanalysis, philosophy)
III. Didactic value and intention (didactics and civilization, philosophy)
IV. Regional, temporal, and political appropriation (civilization, lit movements, lit theory)
V. Adaptations and shortcomings, new material (visual arts, literature, visual theory)
VI. General discussion and conclusion
VII. Opening on the future of the genres, and the need to adapt
I'm basically looking at the differences between French, English, German, and Spanish (generally European) fairy tales, fables, and myths, drawing links between them, and critically discussing the didactic value they have, depending on the target audience and the original country's culture. I am also going to develop the subject of adaptations, contemporary, regional and/or political, of the texts, which includes other texts but also a lot of visual media. I might do a survey regarding the common themes and characters, and the common lessons.
Let me know what you think, and/or how I could reformulate things.
Thanks a lot in advance!
