ENGLISH THESIS AND INTRO

• q.1 Both William Shakespeare’s Othello, and Melfi’s Hidden Figures the effectively utilize cultural narratives to highlight issues of racial prejudice and gender discrimination, inspiring change and reinforcing stability within their respective societies. Othello, written in the early 17th century, examines the destructive power of racism and jealousy in a deeply hierarchical and patriarchal society. In contrast, Hidden Figures, set in the 1960s, showcases the overlooked contributions of African American women to NASA’s space program, challenging the racial and gender norms of its time.
• q.2 William Shakespeare’s Othello and Melfi’s Hidden figures both reveals, affirm and challenge the cultural attitudes and values regarding race and gender discrimination within their texts. They expose the destructive power of racial prejudice of their society’s while subtilty critiquing them
• q.3 William Shakespeare’s Othello and Theodore Melfi’s Hidden Figures both emphasise the tension between hegemony and marginalization intrinsic to their contexts. Othello reflects and critiques the racial and social hierarchies of Jacobean England, while Hidden Figures highligehts and challenges the racial and gender discrimination of 1960s America. My study of these texts aligns with this statement as both texts reveal the struggles of marginalized individuals against overriding societal forces, ultimately advocating for recognition and equality.
• Body paragraph 1- Racism in Othello

  ·       Through William Shakespeare and Theodore Melfi’s texts, racism is integrated within the settings, to inspire change and reflect upon social dynamics. In the Jacobean era, Europe was motivated by colonialism and imperialism. Race was the new pattern of difference in European society.
• Body paragraph 2- Racism in hidden figures

  ·       Contradictory but similarity to Othello, the ideology of racism shapes Melfi’s film and integrated into the setting of 1960’s America during many civil rights movements. Despite the significant contributions to the space race, the three main protagonists encounter significant segregation and inequality.
• Body paragraph 3- treatment of women in Othello

  ·       The treatment of women in William Shakespeare’s Othello is a central theme that illuminates the societal attitudes and expectations towards women in the early 17th century. Set against the backdrop of a male-dominated society, the play portrays various female characters who navigate the restrictions imposed upon them by patriarchal norms
• Body paragraph 4-

  ·       The mistreatment of woman is used to inspire change through the entire film, Hidden Figures. Intrinsic to its context, Hidden Figures reflects on the gender discrimination of the early 1960’s which causes us to have a need to inspire change and take action against racism.
• q.1 conclusion