Hey Jimmy, It will be interesting to see how you explore the authenticity problems of your source, especially since it sounds like Mackenzie is addressing a similar issue with travel writing from the New World! I'm assuming you agree with MacLean that TS' narrative has been fictionalized. Do you plan to contrast it with other true narratives? It might be interesting to look at the parts that have been sensationalized and see how they play to (or against) existing European stereotypes. Best of luck!
Hi Jimmy, I enjoyed your prospectus and I think you've carved out a good pathway for considering whether T.S.'s account is true. My instinct is you should go a little further in saying something about him or the time in which he lived based on your judgment call. For example, you might transition from your judgment of the account's veracity to commenting on what its falsity (if it is false) says about T.S.'s motives or the motives of those like him. Or if it is true, you might use that judgment as a jumping off point for also discussing what his account reveals about the Ottomans or the English. An analysis of the veracity would, in itself, be useful. But if you had space and time, using that analysis to say something about the historical time period or characters might help to further enliven that history for the reader.
Sounds like you have a lot of source material, but it also seems like it'll be fun to go through it. Going off of Aysha's comment a little bit, you may be able to incorporate a little bit of your previous research focus into your new one. Maybe these false accounts make appeals to religion in order to seem more authentic or in order to evoke emotions in the reader. Does Protestantism in particular play a special role in these accounts? Why did the (fake) author choose the Ottoman Empire in particular? What motivates "armchair travelers" in general to choose the location of their fake tales?
I have to agree with others and say that even though this account may be fabricated that doesn't necessarily have to stop you from exploring the author's Protestant faith. Even if the account was completely authentic, the author would still have to choose what to tell and how to craft his narrative. Either way, you still have the opportunity to analyze Protestantism and its relation with Islam.
I agree with Amir that you should investigate his protestant faith. It may give you more information of how he would treat other religions, which could indicate if you believe sections are actually true. I am also looking into false travel accounts, so it will be interesting how you develop this!
Hey Jimmy, This sounds like its going to be a really good paper. I think contextualizing your chosen source in the broad range of confirmed imposter travel narratives is a good way to go. There is also intrigue in your project, as you cannot be absolutely certain whether or not your account is true. You said that you initially had different questions you wanted to pursue, about the writer's Protestant faith and his representation of Islam. It might be interesting to think about this question even though the document may not be totally true. Maybe even a forged account of travels to Algeria says something about cultural stereotypes etc.?
Hey Jimmy, I liked your introduction that included a contemporary false narrative as a segue into older examples of this time-honored tradition. I think you should definitely be able to trace the falsities in your various sources by further research, and it seems you have already found multiple inconsistencies. However, I wasn't sure what you would derive from various false accounts. Will you compare them and see what patterns these authors developed when fabricating (or taking credit for) various accounts?
I like the opening with James Frey! Your prospectus looks great and I really have no suggestions or questions - I look forward to seeing the first draft of your paper!
Hey Jimmy,
ReplyDeleteIt will be interesting to see how you explore the authenticity problems of your source, especially since it sounds like Mackenzie is addressing a similar issue with travel writing from the New World! I'm assuming you agree with MacLean that TS' narrative has been fictionalized. Do you plan to contrast it with other true narratives? It might be interesting to look at the parts that have been sensationalized and see how they play to (or against) existing European stereotypes. Best of luck!
Hi Jimmy,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your prospectus and I think you've carved out a good pathway for considering whether T.S.'s account is true. My instinct is you should go a little further in saying something about him or the time in which he lived based on your judgment call. For example, you might transition from your judgment of the account's veracity to commenting on what its falsity (if it is false) says about T.S.'s motives or the motives of those like him. Or if it is true, you might use that judgment as a jumping off point for also discussing what his account reveals about the Ottomans or the English. An analysis of the veracity would, in itself, be useful. But if you had space and time, using that analysis to say something about the historical time period or characters might help to further enliven that history for the reader.
Hi Jimmy,
ReplyDeleteSounds like you have a lot of source material, but it also seems like it'll be fun to go through it. Going off of Aysha's comment a little bit, you may be able to incorporate a little bit of your previous research focus into your new one. Maybe these false accounts make appeals to religion in order to seem more authentic or in order to evoke emotions in the reader. Does Protestantism in particular play a special role in these accounts? Why did the (fake) author choose the Ottoman Empire in particular? What motivates "armchair travelers" in general to choose the location of their fake tales?
Should be really interesting! Look forward to it!
I have to agree with others and say that even though this account may be fabricated that doesn't necessarily have to stop you from exploring the author's Protestant faith. Even if the account was completely authentic, the author would still have to choose what to tell and how to craft his narrative. Either way, you still have the opportunity to analyze Protestantism and its relation with Islam.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Amir that you should investigate his protestant faith. It may give you more information of how he would treat other religions, which could indicate if you believe sections are actually true. I am also looking into false travel accounts, so it will be interesting how you develop this!
ReplyDeleteMackenzie Tudor
Hey Jimmy,
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like its going to be a really good paper. I think contextualizing your chosen source in the broad range of confirmed imposter travel narratives is a good way to go. There is also intrigue in your project, as you cannot be absolutely certain whether or not your account is true.
You said that you initially had different questions you wanted to pursue, about the writer's Protestant faith and his representation of Islam. It might be interesting to think about this question even though the document may not be totally true. Maybe even a forged account of travels to Algeria says something about cultural stereotypes etc.?
Hey Jimmy, I liked your introduction that included a contemporary false narrative as a segue into older examples of this time-honored tradition. I think you should definitely be able to trace the falsities in your various sources by further research, and it seems you have already found multiple inconsistencies. However, I wasn't sure what you would derive from various false accounts. Will you compare them and see what patterns these authors developed when fabricating (or taking credit for) various accounts?
ReplyDeleteI like the opening with James Frey! Your prospectus looks great and I really have no suggestions or questions - I look forward to seeing the first draft of your paper!
ReplyDelete