how can i "wrangle" the question and still come out with a coherent argument?
since reading ur ao5 post ive been more interested in delving deeper into the words of the question, since its not something ive focussed that deeply on before. but i have found it difficult to imagine how i would be able to discuss all these interpretations in one essay? i have an example below of how ive thought about the question in relation to my texts, but kind of stuck on how i would address most of them in my paragraphs. the planning especially feels like it does take enough time to where i feel as if the way im more familiar may be easier.
the q i chose to look at was:
‘Romantic relationships are shown to be especially difficult for immigrants.’
SHOWN:
- implies the presentation of romantic relationships perhaps differs from reality. The romantic relationships of immigrants may appear to be fractured, but perhaps it is more developed and loving in the private sphere. Appearances vs reality.
- Shown to readers vs shown to characters
ESPECIALLY:
- Unique struggles associated with immigrants that their host country members do not face such as culture shock/othered as an 'exotic' being/pressure of the hybrid identity.
- For TRF, the relationship is between the immigrant Changez and Erica, who is the most potent symbol of America (the aptonym). However, we also see Erica's struggles with mental health and her implied suicide. A lot of Changez' difficulties are reactive to Erica's behaviour, which can swing in support or against the statement. (i.e is he controlled to the whims of Erica, or is he simply failing to be a supportive partner)
- In SI, the comparison of "especially" is to Bernard and Queenie, who have significant relationship difficulties. Queenie, separated from her husband in the war, is lonely enough to go on to have an affair, and their relationship appears fundamentally flawed when they have different ideas about their interracial baby which ultimately is given away to Hortense. Meanwhile it seems like Hortense and Gilbert now bond even more given their baby.
DIFFICULT:
- "TRF" seems to go even further than this into irreconciliable differences, with Changez ultimately still pining for her even in Pakistan. He leaves behind his coat at the airport (and the symbolism of it being mistaken as a threat is almost comedic in how fractured the relationship to America/Erica is), and he is still thinking of Erica hoping to catch her attention. Earlier on, Changez arguably achieves the height of "closeness" when he has physical intimacy with Erica, but he does do this by asking Erica to pretend he is Chris.
- in "SI" the relationship between Hortense and Gilbert in the beginning is clearly difficult, disapproving of the room they are staying in, only marrying Gilbert to come to England. However, Gilbert is there to support Hortense, whose colonial mindset shatters eventually given for example the job rejection as a teacher because of her Jamaican qualifications, and there is renewed hope for the couple in the end.
Hello! As always, thanks so much for posting (and I'm sorry I didn't reply yesterday)! I love this question, and I'm so glad you asked it!
The good thing about wrangling the question is that you don't have to talk about each interpretation separately! You can group them together based on bigger things you noticed. For example, you might notice that if you wrangle the question even further with the word 'difficult', you might notice there are multiple ways that something can be difficult. Here are a few ways:
- Inability. Immigrants struggle to have relationships.
- Turbulence. The relationships they have tend to be full of conflict between the two parties.
- Fewer options. Immigrants tend to have to 'settle' in romantic relationships more.
- Pushback. There are certain types of relationships that immigrants experience more negative feedback around (e.g. interracial?)
- Legal challenges?
Trying to do a whole paragraph on each of those would be mad! But you might start to group them together and make bigger arguments in your single essay paragraph. For example, rather than putting turbulence, legal challenges and pushback in separate paragraphs, you might write a whole paragraph on how immigrants face external challenges to their relationships! Then you might want to do one on internal challenges, such as cultural difference, expectations, etc!
Did you sign up for the AO1 webinar? If so, it actually covers how you can use this to structure an essay so you're not overwhelmed! If not, it's up on my shop now for what I hope is a fairly reasonable price!: https://shanistutoring.com/resource/ao1-masterclass/