ENG2611
EXAM
OCT/NOV
2024
, SECTION A
1.1
Leland et al. (2013) talk about how stories often reflect the values, traditions, and beliefs of
the culture they come from. For me, when I read something, it’s important to be aware of
the cultural context because it helps me understand the story on a deeper level. If I ignore
the cultural background, I might misinterpret what’s happening, or I might judge the
characters unfairly. For example, a decision that seems odd or even wrong to me could
actually be normal or expected in the character’s culture. By thinking about the cultural
context, I can see why the characters act the way they do and what themes are being
highlighted. This helps me avoid misunderstanding the message of the story or viewing the
characters through my own cultural lens. It’s like stepping into someone else’s shoes — by
understanding where they come from, I can better grasp their motivations, struggles, and
growth throughout the story.
When I pay attention to cultural context, I also avoid oversimplifying the story. For example, a
character might do something that seems harsh or extreme at first, but if I think about the
culture they belong to, I might realize that their actions make sense within their society’s
values. It helps me read with more empathy and an open mind, so I can appreciate the full
richness of the story instead of just seeing it through my own limited perspective.
1.2
Fan fiction is really interesting to me because it gives people the chance to take a story they
love and expand on it in ways that might not have been possible in the original version.
According to Leland et al. (2013), fan fiction is a genre where writers add new elements to
existing stories, often online. I think this form of writing is powerful because it allows for the
exploration of characters or themes that were underrepresented or overlooked in the
original work. fan fiction gives writers the freedom to address those gaps. It allows me, as a
writer or reader, to explore perspectives that were ignored or not fully developed in the
original.
This has a lot of cultural significance because fan fiction often challenges the dominant
narratives in popular works. In many stories, certain groups of people—whether based on
gender, race, sexuality, or other aspects—might not be given a fair voice or representation.
Fan fiction gives fans the opportunity to highlight these marginalized voices. In a way, fan
fiction is a form of cultural critique. It allows people to take existing narratives and rework
them to reflect their own experiences or the experiences of groups that are often left out.
For me, this is really empowering because it shows that storytelling is not just in the hands of
the original creators. Fans have the power to shape stories and bring in new perspectives. It
creates a space for more diverse voices, making literature and media more inclusive and
representative of the real world.
QUESTION 2