literary text compare to scholarly text of a social issue connected to multiculturalism/diaspora
Essays must provide a close textual analysis of the literary text and set up a clear comparative argument that
evaluates the merits (or lack thereof) of the literary text when compared to historical and scholarly analyses of
the same issue. Use Wayson Choy’s “Paper Shadows: A Chinatown Childhood” as major literary text!!
The Research Essay (25%), due Sunday of Week 11, combines major literature analysis with background
scholarly research of at least four secondary sources. Students will Use Wayson Choy’s “Paper Shadows: A
Chinatown Childhood” (I uploaded the excerpt, do not use whole book.) as major literary text, first examine how
it deals with cultural and historical issues of multiculturalism in Canada, or how it represents culture, or cultural
diaspora, based on factual research of the subject. Does the literary text have merit when compared to
historical and scholarly analyses, or does it miss the mark? Students may also bring in other primary literary
texts of their choosing to enrich the comparison.