All students in the J.N. Andrews Honors Program are required to complete a senior Honors Thesis, a research project in which they may choose any topic of interest related to their field. Students must create a poster and a paper, and give an oral presentation, to graduate as J.N. Andrews Honors Scholars. This week, I interviewed Amelia Stefanescu (senior, English) about what her thesis project entails.
What is your project about?
My project is about the Grimms’ folktale “Briar Rose” (one of the oldest written versions of “Sleeping Beauty”) and examining how different ideologies interact and co-exist within the folktale. Since the story was transmitted orally for centuries, it has undergone many changes, especially in terms of ideology. For example, if you are a Christian telling a folktale, you might highlight the more Christian-friendly themes in a story when you recount it. In this way, folktales evolved to encompass different ideologies as time went by. “Briar Rose” interestingly contains both Christian and pagan elements, which seem like complete opposites, yet they coexist within the story. My research dives into identifying these different influences, arguing that folktales such as “Briar Rose” aren’t simply children’s tales (they were, in fact, not written for children at all), but instead important cultural artifacts that demonstrate the evolving nature of storytelling.
What inspired you to research this topic?
I worked with my current mentor, Dr. Badenas, two years ago on an undergraduate research project about Maleficent and the portrayal of villains in modern adaptations of fairy tales. My research was focused on how villains came to be portrayed as morally grey heroes in new adaptations through the 2014 movie “Maleficent.” When the time came for me to choose a topic for my Honors Thesis research project, I wanted to continue working on folktales, especially on the story of Sleeping Beauty, since I was already so familiar with it. I then decided that I wanted to get to its roots, so I took on one of the first versions of Sleeping Beauty, which was compiled by the Brothers Grimm as “Briar Rose” in 1812.
What were some challenging aspects of conducting your research?
Choosing the right translations was difficult since I wanted a translation as accurate and as close to the originals as possible, and since I don’t understand German, I needed to find a good translation. Another challenging aspect was learning how to balance working on my thesis and schoolwork; setting apart a designated “research day” (usually a day with less classes) each week helped a lot to organize my time well.
What were some of the most fun parts of your research?
The most fun part was seeing it all come together. I had spent months reading articles, writing annotated bibliographies, and doing various parts of the project in isolation. Seeing it all come together within the last two months has been such a satisfying experience.
If you were to continue your research, what would it look like?
I am definitely keen to continue researching! It’s been such a positive and rewarding experience. I would like to continue research, as I have done as an English major, consisting mainly of analysis and really pulling out important themes, symbols, and patterns across texts, diving into them, and seeing them from a different angle. I am very interested in researching within adaptation studies, as well as folklore, as my research with Dr. Badenas has made me discover.
How does this research connect to your desired career?
Currently, I am presented with a few career options. One thing that I do know for sure is that I want to continue my education with an M.A. in English, and research plays a big part in this. Having gained the experience I have now as an Honors scholar and an English major will be extremely helpful down this path. Furthermore, I believe that research skills are simply important in every aspect of life. Being able to inform yourself accurately and find the information you need is a primordial skill, and any type of research you do will help develop it.
Besides yourself, what do you think this project can do for those around you or, even bigger, the world?
My project showcases the importance of telling stories. It represents how stories can become important cultural artifacts that live long beyond one’s life and that can communicate history through their evolution, helping us trace back the influences, beliefs, and ideologies that have seeped into these stories over time. It’s really fascinating to see how stories can encompass history and culture.
Finally, how has this project grown you as a person? In what ways?
This has been one of the biggest projects I have ever had. I needed to learn a lot of patience and had to apply and refine my research skills. It was also a project that helped me to organize my research and stick to deadlines I set for myself. Most importantly, it developed my ability to balance multiple projects (thesis, assignments, projects, schoolwork, etc.) and to manage stress coming from multiple sides.
Should people take Honors even though there is a project?
Absolutely! The thesis is such a rewarding project where all you have learned can come together into a cohesive project. And the fun part is that you get to choose what to research, so anything you’re interested in is a go. Don’t be scared by the idea of the thesis; it’s honestly just your opportunity to really dive into something you love or are interested in and share that with others.
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