outline

How to write this paper:
These are suggestions - not requirements.

Part 1 - Concepts:
First 2 pages:
What is a trope?
What is the revelation trope in particular?
Interesting aspects of this trope

Part 2 - Examples of the Revelation Trope
Next 4 pages:
How do the texts/films/people you’ve experienced demonstrate the revelation trope?
-Unacceptable situation
-Prophet arises who offers a solution to the unacceptable situation.
-Prophet offers a redefinition of reality – reconnecting the dots of peoples’ understandings to offer a new worldview – a new way of life – a message.
-The way the prophet communicates the message is part of the message.
-Prophet has trouble communicating the message. People resist the message, or they misinterpret it.
-Prophet gets in trouble with the authorities or the masses or both for challenging existing structures and lifeways.
-Drama ensues.

Use examples – quick “In “Star Wars” the unacceptable situation was domination by the armies of murderous “order and control”. The message was that through a process of connecting to the larger universe, and knowing ones’ self, that resistance against the forces of death and control was possible.

Part 3: Analyzing the Revelation message
Next 3 pages:
Then select one or more of the messages and analyze/compare them.

Part 4: Analyzing the Revelation Prophets
Next 3 pages:
Select one or more of the prophets and analyze/compare them – their techniques, their rhetorical strategies, their followers, etc.

Part 5: Analyzing the Revelation Drama
Next 3 pages:
Select one or more of the ensuing drama and analyze/compare it – the different sides, the form of battle, the results, does the prophet get killed?

Part 6: Analyzing the Revelation Trope's Promises and Limitations
Next 3 pages:
Why is the revelation trope so common? What possibilities does it offer to artists and individuals? What are the benefits? But what are the trade-offs? What are the limitations of the revelation trope? What are the traps it gets people stuck in? Should we look for prophets and listen to their messages?

Please reply with your own rough outlines, so we can share ideas here.