Research Synthesis Paper, introduction–revised–“Young Goodman Brown”, “Courting a Monk”, and “Araby”–three stories and Religion

For fiction writers, treating the subject of religion involves serious risks.  Developing characters with religious beliefs can cause audience alienation; misrepresentation may also discredit the work.  The writer should present religious beliefs from many points view; this way the reader doesn’t judge the short story as propaganda.  Katherine Min’s “Courting a Monk” achieves an impressive objectivity despite the Buddhist faith taking center stage.

Nathaniel Hawthorne takes a different approach, authoring a scathing critique of Puritan New England with “Young Goodman Brown.”   Hawthorne’s allegorical adventure through the unknown forest represents mankind’s stuggle with doubt and suspicion.  In “Araby,” James Joyce’s Irish Catholic background infuses the story in subtle ways.  For Joyce’s kid-narrator and his family, their Catholicism represents a national pride and identity.  Taken together, these works reflect the many possibilities with integrating religious beliefs into the realm of fiction.  Time divides their portrayals: 1993, 1835, and 1905, which alters audience reception.  The authors’ varying treatments of religion display human nature’s unending confusion and fascination with the spiritual world.

(thesis is underlined)

Note how the few important differences and similarities are mentioned.  Other ideas relate of course, but I can elaborate on them later.  Stick to the bigger points for the Intro.  Avoid too much detail, here.  Save that for the rest of the paper.

The following sentences would be the start of my 3rd paragraph.

Audiences today generally allow the Writer more breathing room with treating religion in literature than in Hawthorne’s time.   “Courting a Monk” reflects the atmosphere of diversity surrounding college campuses in the 1990’s.  As such, the Buddhist faith takes the spotlight in a way reflective of society’s changing values.  It also make sense conflict-wise, for Min’s sexpot narrator to be confronted with the “reununciation of desire,” (Min 296).   Her sketcism of Micah’s faith plays to audiences who would also be sketical.