Note: Titles of texts must be underlined or in italics
Tosa Diary paper topics (Remember all of these topics require an argumentative response)
1. Consider the role of journeying in this text, and compare it to another text in this course that is concerned with the theme of journey (like The Odyssey for instance).
2. Although this is supposed to be a “diary,” it is written by a male author and told through a female perspective. Relate this perspective to the text’s content and its meaning.
3. Write a paper in which you consider the differences and/or similarities between this book and The Pillow Book. You might want to think about the vernacular, gender identity, Japanese history, emotional expression, etc.
4. Bring Tosa Diary together with Orlando: what is the purpose of “gender bending” in these two ‘texts’? Are these purposes similar, different, or similar in some senses and different in some senses? Remember that in order to respond to this topic you will need to rewatch Orlando at least once.
5. Compare/contrast Tosa Diary to Virginia Woolf’s diary. (you’ll need to read the rest of the diary at this link: http://www.nytimes.com/books/00/12/17/specials/woolf-diary5exc.html). You also will need to keep in mind that these texts are coming out of different historical contexts.