Prompts for New Historicism and "Trauma Plate"

Each of the following numbers links to a discussion about "Trauma Plate," the collection Emporium from which it comes, or Adam Johnson's work in more general terms (including the audio of Johnson reading a different story, "Trial of the Century," in the voice of O.J. and Nicole Simpson's dog; please listen to this story as part of your reading; it will take you about 12 minutes): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. After reading and listening to these other texts, please respond to one or more of the following prompts:

1. What does the reception of Johnson's work suggest about the circulation of power and ideologies in our present century? What issues are raised in the text that both shape, and are shaped by, that circulation and exchange? Please use specific examples from the reviews.

2. In what ways do the characterizations of Ruth, Jane, and Bill reproduce, comment on, or question current narratives about national security, adolescence, relationships, sexuality, the American Dream, parenting, or iconography? (or any other narrative you see shaping/being shaped by the text).

3. How has "Trauma Plate" been shaped by the 21st-century American culture in which it was written? In answering this question, I would expect you to pull in cultural examples, i.e. socio-political, scientific, and economic events of our time (or examples from pop culture, many of which are referenced in "Trial of the Century"). In other words, use extra-textual examples, part of a thick description, as well as textual ones.

Have fun with this.