Thematic Bibliography

Transcription

1 Thematic Bibliography Masking Identity: Judging on Physical Appearance The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux Latifa, My Forbidden Face. New York: Hyperion Books, Latifa is a 16 year old Afghani teenager who dreams of going to a university, listens to rock-nroll, and wear track suits. Suddenly her life crumbles before her when the Taliban takes over. She becomes a prisoner in her own home and forced to wear a burqa which covers her face and body. This book exposes a modern day mask which has been enforced upon many women and girls in Afghanistan. This is a story about Latifa s personal resistance and escape from the mask which she must wear. Despite her physical covering no one could mask her identity. Just as the Opera Ghost hid his identity behind a mask because of his physical appearance. Even today people choose to wear different masks. This book provides a modern example of a forced masking through political means which could prompt discussion for students to look at the purpose and consequences of masks.

2 Peters, Julie Anne. Define Normal. New York: Little, Brown Young Readers, 2003 Antonia Dillion gets good grades and does the things a normal middle school student should do. She is assigned to counsel Jazz who wears black makeup, has tattoos and body piercings and is anything but normal. The Phantom of the Opera introduces the themes of being judged by physical appearances. This book explores what it means to be normal. Focuses on the understanding differences in perspectives and the importance of acceptance of others beyond physical appearance or face value. Mochizuki, Ken. Heroes. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, Donnie a Japanese American boy after the wake World War Two faces prejudice and discrimination based on his physical appearance. When playing with his friends because he is Japanese he wears the face of the enemy. Donnie is forced to always play the role of the bad guy just because of his physical appearance. Just as Erik the Opera Ghost was judged to be evil because of his physical appearance, even today we still judge others based on physical appearance. This story explores how one s physical appearance effects how others view people and the importance of looking beyond skin color and the shape of a person s eyes.

3 Wyeth, Sharon Dennis. Something Beautiful. New York: Dragonfly Books, A little girl walks around the streets of her inner city neighborhood past the broken glass bottle and little shops this is a book to find something beautiful. The Phantom of the Opera explores physical versus inner beauty, and allows readers to reevaluate what it means to be beautiful. This book explores the ability for people to find beauty everywhere regardless of environment. This book provides a wonderful introduction to discuss beauty in all forms and the importance of discovering it everywhere. Thomas, Marlo. Free to be You and Me: Philadelphia: Running Press, A collection of stories, songs and poems that challenge prejudice and stereotyping by specifically gender and race. The Phantom of the Opera opens the discussion for readers to explore how their personal prejudices affect the way they view others. This book allows students to begin to see and feel differently about others and themselves. Stresses the importance of allowing students to be themselves. Can be used as a reference guide to select specific stories and discuss. Andreoletti, Carrie, Margie E. Lachman, and Leslie A. Zebrowitz. Physical Appearance and Control Beliefs in Young, Middle-Aged, and Older Adults. Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin 27 (2001): Mar < 20et%20al.%20PSPB_2001.pdf>. The importance of physical appearance is constantly reinforced by media and society. This article explores the effects of physical appearance and how these perceptions

4 influence individuals throughout their life. Provides detailed research, statistics, and examples of the social barriers that physical appearance can have on individuals and how to overcome them. This is a wonderful research resource for teachers that help them understand the effects, and help them know how to effectively discuss them with students. Body Image Young Adult Health. 15 Mar < HealthTopicDetails.aspx?p=240&np=298&id=2086>. Many students are concerned with their personal body image this website provides basic definitions but more importantly practical guides to developing and maintaing a healthy body image through out your life. Provides resources and references from credible sources that allow you to discuss the issues facing young adults and their perceptions of physical appearance Bower, Bruce. Deceptive appearances: imagined physical defects take an ugly personal toll. Science News (1995) JSTOR. 15 Mar.2008 < Just as Erik the Opera Ghost was believed to be hideous, many young adults face this same distorted view of themselves. Bower s article explores the real disease which afflicts individuals who believe that they have a hideous physical appearance. This drives individuals to an obbessive and distorted view of their personal appearance. Gives examples and real life examples of individual who have this haunting disease. This article could be used as a discussion guide where students can discuss the effects of having a distorted view of their physical appearace. Brake, Nicki. Physical self-concepts and body experience in children, adolescents and young adults. 15. Mar.2008.< IchperConf/BRA06109_final.pdf>. Just as Erik s self concept of himself and his physical appearance developed from birth, we are also influenced by the experiences that we have throughout our lives. Young adults are especially venerable during this period of their lives to develop unhealthy perceptions and habits that affect their ability to perform throughout their lives. This article researches these effects and how they influence our ability to see ourselves and the world around us. Physical Attractiveness. Wikipedia. 15 Mar < /Physical_attractiveness>. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder or is it? This site is a reasource which gives basic definitions and statistics regarding the effects of physical appearance on individuals and

5 society. Provides links to further articles, studies, and research. For a basic overview and specific ideas for further resources and discussion this site is a spring board for topics and futher research..