I've become obsessed over the last few days. I went to a post-graduate studies informational session after lecture, and the looming question can't be avoided any longer. If (when) I decide to work for my PhD, what will my focus be? What will my topic be? I'm daunted by the size of this question, even more so because I have no idea what I would actually do. In the short run, what will my Masters Thesis be on?
I've considered working with gothic literature for awhile now. It is a pretty focused topic that might yield interesting ideas, but isn't really broad enough for defined specialty. It might pigeon-hole me into 18th century literature as well, which with the exception of a few writers, I dislike. Detective fiction, travel narratives, adventure stories, these things flourished during this period, but serious fiction was less interesting in my opinion. In particular, I've been thinking about Matthew Lewis's "The Monk". On the other hand, I've had a long standing interest in Medieval literature, with thoughts of translation (I'm teaching myself Old English slowly next semester), and I might propose a translation project as my Masters Thesis. Once again, however, that is a difficult field with lots of pigeonholes. Yet, if I could figure out a way to marry the two, or use contemporary criticism in medieval studies, it might work out.
The other problem is that we had a lecture on Yeats today, and I must say that I have become enamored of him. The only poet I truely appreciate, and the modern period can be quite compelling in terms of philosophy, etc. My problem with the traditional 18th-19th century novel is they are often all story and little theorizing.
Also, today was EXTREMELY stressful. I hired a car (British for renting one) for the weekend, and a few of us are going to Ben Lawer tomorrow. On Sunday we are going to Ben Arthur. Driving back from the car lot was taxing. I was so uptight that when I got out, I almost fell down from exhaustion. It really wasn't that bad, but I was nervous that it would become bad. Plus, I had to refamiliarize myself on how to drive clutch, with the wrong hand (because the cars are on the left side). Whew. I'm safe now, but I will probably have more to report tomorrow, after the hike and the 2 hour car ride.
2 comments:
These blog posts have been really enjoyable, Justin.
As a veteran of the struggles you're going through, let me encourage you not to obsess too, er, obsessively about the topic of your thesis, focus of your dissertation, and so on. If you're going to to an MA, let that be your time to search around and find things you're interested in. The MA is supposed to be broad in part to give you the grounding you need for your more focused research later...but also so you can thrash around and stumble across something that really motivates you.
In other words, what I'm trying to say is something you already believe: enjoy the experience of being thrown into different things to learn without worrying about the end product. At least until you're done with the MA.
Then you can worry all you want.
In the meantime, I'll worry about why this blog won't let me use caps in my name.
Joe, thanks for much for your words of encouragement. It means a great deal, and I'm glad you are enjoying the blog.
I think your advice is apt, and I will take it to heart.
That being said, I have no idea why blogger is so... unconventional in its capitalization. EsPeciallY SinCe WeB SPEek RaRely CaReS.
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