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First things first, don't be put off by the "but it's a children's book" stuff. Writing an extended essay on actual children's books could be quite difficult, but Bartimaeus isn't. It's always annoyed me that it's classified as such - it might be suitable for children (and I think in places even that's debatable), but the books are full of political commentary and humour that are vastly beyond children's book level. Don't be put off by any teachers who haven't read it and are just going on the classification.
If they *have* read it and still think that, I might be inclined to take their opinion more seriously, but I think it's unlikely.

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Another component you could talk about is the coming of age of Nathaniel, how he slowly corrupted in society, in high class and then somewhat redeem yourself. Then, from this, a question you could debate is: did he truly redeem himself, or is an honourable death (if this is agreed upon) simply overrated?

pentiumxp4000

Aug 8 2009, 03:09 PM

I agree on all counts. It's simply that the Bartimaeus Trilogy is being compared to more established pieces of literature, and the things that I am being told are starting to scare me quite a bit and putting me off of it. However, I believe the important thing with essays is that you do it on something you are interested in - and the Bartimaeus Trilogy is certainly on the top of my list in that respect. Thanks for the advice, it's pulled me back together.

Nero

Aug 9 2009, 12:15 AM

For fun I might just make my own essay

Apollo

Aug 9 2009, 06:06 AM

Nero

Aug 9 2009, 12:15 AM

For fun I might just make my own essay

Consider carefully this statement.

FuzzyLobster

Aug 12 2009, 06:07 PM

Though I think that it's kind of unfair to children to say it shouldn't be classified as such, Sent. I know plenty of kids smart enough to understand the "political commentary and humor."

Dansariki

Aug 28 2009, 04:17 AM

The Bartimaeus Trilogy should be classed as a work of fiction, not children's literature.
But, hey, it is.
That being as it is, I agree with everything posted above, and, while I'm not in the IB program (have friends who are, I'm near an AP diploma, for what it's worth) I think would be a good idea to make it fairly all-encompassing - not a problem in an essay like this.
Archetypes are always nice, as is the underlying mythology.
This was commented on by my mother after I asked her to read the trilogy (She loved it) and she went on quite a rant about Stroud, praising him for drawing from mythology (I particularly like the naming schemes) and his attention to detail in the government.
Stroud's use of alternate history, and fictional explanations for actual, but mysterious events (Atlantis and Nouda's hand in the destruction of the Aztecs) were some of my favorite aspects of it. The opening sequence in Golem's Eye and the flashbacks in Ptolemy's Gate were, by and large, my favorite parts of the series.
The nice thing about having the Master-Slave relationship throughout history allows for the cautionary tale you mentioned to applied to anything you can come up with - much of the Trilogy's idea and lessons work for history.
And... I caution against coming of age angle.
It's old.
Nice, but boring.
Least, says every english teacher I've had.

Stress detail.
Rosemary, Iron, Silver, Cat's sight on two planes, all of it.

Have fun, good luck.

Nero

Aug 28 2009, 02:59 PM

Dansariki

Aug 28 2009, 04:17 AM

The Bartimaeus Trilogy should be classed as a work of fiction, not children's literature.
But, hey, it is.
That being as it is, I agree with everything posted above, and, while I'm not in the IB program (have friends who are, I'm near an AP diploma, for what it's worth) I think would be a good idea to make it fairly all-encompassing - not a problem in an essay like this.
Archetypes are always nice, as is the underlying mythology.
This was commented on by my mother after I asked her to read the trilogy (She loved it) and she went on quite a rant about Stroud, praising him for drawing from mythology (I particularly like the naming schemes) and his attention to detail in the government.
Stroud's use of alternate history, and fictional explanations for actual, but mysterious events (Atlantis and Nouda's hand in the destruction of the Aztecs) were some of my favorite aspects of it. The opening sequence in Golem's Eye and the flashbacks in Ptolemy's Gate were, by and large, my favorite parts of the series.
The nice thing about having the Master-Slave relationship throughout history allows for the cautionary tale you mentioned to applied to anything you can come up with - much of the Trilogy's idea and lessons work for history.
And... I caution against coming of age angle.
It's old.
Nice, but boring.
Least, says every english teacher I've had.

Stress detail.
Rosemary, Iron, Silver, Cat's sight on two planes, all of it.

Have fun, good luck.

I do have to admit it is overused.