Normal People
Purpose of the Assignment:
A number of cultural, economic, and political changes in advanced industrial societies over the past five decades have challenged the belief in the efficacy of liberalism complimented with socialist policies. The combination of finance capitalism, technological innovation, austerity policies, and the diminished investments in public goods have led to the accelerated concentration of wealth and power in many of these wealthy societies. Often lost in these structural transformations are its impact on interpersonal relations, ideas of belonging and community, and understandings of life choices and opportunity.
Sally Rooney’s novel Normal People explores the relationship of Marianne and Connell, as these two Irish millennials navigate family life, social pressures, class division, self-doubt, mental illness, and what it means to commit to another person. This story of first love reveals at once both timeless concerns and particular issues for Millennials and the New Silent Generation.
Students are tasked with exploring the issues of how contemporary capitalism’s influence on Ireland intersect with resilient assumptions of socioeconomic class divisions to affect how young people understand belonging and community, intimacy and commitment, mental health and personal fulfillment.
The questions you are to answer are the following: How does Sally Rooney’s Normal People reflect the challenges confronting 20-somethings? What does it say about this particular stage of capitalism and its impact on interpersonal relations?
Questions to consider as you cobble together your paper:
General:
Paper requirements:
The paper’s length should be between 1,050 and 1,550 words double-spaced (4-6 pages). Use 12 point Times New Roman font and 1.25” margins on the right and left margins.
Fair warnings:
A number of cultural, economic, and political changes in advanced industrial societies over the past five decades have challenged the belief in the efficacy of liberalism complimented with socialist policies. The combination of finance capitalism, technological innovation, austerity policies, and the diminished investments in public goods have led to the accelerated concentration of wealth and power in many of these wealthy societies. Often lost in these structural transformations are its impact on interpersonal relations, ideas of belonging and community, and understandings of life choices and opportunity.
Sally Rooney’s novel Normal People explores the relationship of Marianne and Connell, as these two Irish millennials navigate family life, social pressures, class division, self-doubt, mental illness, and what it means to commit to another person. This story of first love reveals at once both timeless concerns and particular issues for Millennials and the New Silent Generation.
Students are tasked with exploring the issues of how contemporary capitalism’s influence on Ireland intersect with resilient assumptions of socioeconomic class divisions to affect how young people understand belonging and community, intimacy and commitment, mental health and personal fulfillment.
The questions you are to answer are the following: How does Sally Rooney’s Normal People reflect the challenges confronting 20-somethings? What does it say about this particular stage of capitalism and its impact on interpersonal relations?
Questions to consider as you cobble together your paper:
General:
- What are the general themes developed by the author over the course of the novel?
- What are the social pressures faced by Marianne and Connell and how does it change throughout the story?
- How does the issue of class identity (and wealth) play throughout the novel?
- What do we learn about family?
- What kinds of relationships do Marianne and Connell develop with other people?
- How is mental illness presented in the novel?
- What is the difference between sex and intimacy?
- What does it mean to commit to another person?
- How does violence factor into the novel?
- Is this a love story? If so, what does that mean to you?
- How would you describe her at the beginning of the novel and then at its end? How does she grow (or not)?
- How does she find self-worth?
- How does her family and her childhood and adolescence factor into her understanding of self-worth? Or, how does her high school years influence the adult she becomes?
- What are her concerns and worries? Her goals and dreams?
- How does she handle the various social pressures in high school and college?
- How does she deal with her mental health issues?
- Are sex and intimacy distinct for her? If so, how so? What might the author be exploring here?
- How does Marianne see commitment?
- Do you see Marianne in you or any of your friends? If so, what parts?
- Do you like Marianne? Could you see yourself being a friend of hers? Why or why not?
- How would you describe him at the beginning of the novel and then at its end? How does he grow (or not)?
- How does he find self-worth?
- How does his family and his childhood and adolescence factor into his understanding of self-worth? Or, how does high school influence the adult he becomes in college?
- What are his concerns and worries? His goals and dreams?
- How does he handle the various social pressures in high school and college?
- How does he deal with her mental health issues?
- Are sex and intimacy distinct for him? If so, how so? What might the author be exploring here?
- How does Connell see commitment?
- Do you see Connell in you or any of your friends? If so, what parts?
- Do you like Connell? Could you see yourself being a friend of his? Why or why not?
Paper requirements:
The paper’s length should be between 1,050 and 1,550 words double-spaced (4-6 pages). Use 12 point Times New Roman font and 1.25” margins on the right and left margins.
Fair warnings:
- Failure to follow the instructions, including formatting, will result in a ‘0’ (zero) for the grade.
- Failure to turn in the paper by the due date will result in a ‘0’ (zero) for the grade.
- The use of external sources and materials not expressly permitted by Professor Hyland will result in a ‘0’ (zero) for the grade.
- Failure to use specific, concrete examples from the book will result in a ‘0’ (zero) for the grade.
- Failure to cite the relevant page numbers to the specific, concrete examples will result in a ‘0’ (zero) for the grade.
- If it becomes evident that you did not read the text will result in a ‘0’ (zero) for the grade.
- Turning in the paper on time, but failing to come to class to discuss the book will result in a ‘0’ (zero) for the grade.