Identity in E-LitMain MenuIntroduction"Pieces of Herself"The first work of E-Lit with a theme of identity that we are showcasing is "Pieces of Herself" by Juliet Davis. The author of this path is Colin Crago."Fitting the Pattern"The second identity-themed E-Lit work is "Fitting the Pattern" by Christine Wilks. The author of this path is Kalan Hurdle."My Body - a Wunderkammer"The third E-lit work that has a theme of identity is “My Body - a Wunderkammer” by Shelly Jackson. Jackson embodies this theme through exemplifying the relationship a woman has with her body and how it adds to her identity. The author of this path is Freddie SanabriaAbout the AuthorsWorks CitedColin Cragobde30c21d820ae3e63a45de198178f1f4a0b4b8cKalan Hurdle72777df5ad8a17476da8fe9a899e5ebfb5327de1Freddie Sanabriad21117d75d281156e3dfd2b31c08ce24052b98b5
12017-11-13T13:01:31-08:00Kalan Hurdle72777df5ad8a17476da8fe9a899e5ebfb5327de1The materials that the reader is sewing together.Kalan Hurdle1plain2017-11-13T13:01:31-08:00Kalan Hurdle72777df5ad8a17476da8fe9a899e5ebfb5327de1
12017-11-18T09:57:02-08:00Kalan Hurdle72777df5ad8a17476da8fe9a899e5ebfb5327de1CitationKalan Hurdle1plain2017-11-18T09:57:02-08:00Screenshot of Gameplay from "Fitting the Pattern" by Christine Wilks. Taken by Kalan Hurdle, 2017Kalan Hurdle72777df5ad8a17476da8fe9a899e5ebfb5327de1
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12017-11-10T13:14:28-08:00Game Mechanics/Design of Fitting the Pattern10plain2017-11-18T09:21:17-08:00As you can see, the home screen of the E-Lit work informs the reader that they will be assembling a dress for the dressmaker's daughter who is shorter than 5'6". The opening screen also contains, in the top right hand corner, the different measurements and alterations that must be made based on the hip, bust, height, and waist size of women. Essentially, it's supposed to be a dressmaking kit that comes with its own instructions:
easy to sew
only 4 processes involved
choose a dressmaking tool to begin
check your progress on the pattern layout.
The game is not set up in chronological order and there is no specific tool that the reader has to begin with. As the reader progresses through game, they reveal emotions, thoughts, and characteristics about the protagonist. As stated by Nissenbaum and Flanagan, authors of Values at Play in Digital Games, games and E-lit works "express and embody human values. From notions of fairness to deep-seated ideas about the human condition"(1).
"Fitting the Pattern" is oriented in such a way that each stitch offers new insight into the author's personality and personal battles that she faced and continues to face as she struggles to find her own identity. This particular E-Lit work exemplifies the belief that Flanagan and Nissenbaum talk in their book: the mirroring of the human psyche. It is basically the idea that interactive material such as "Fitting the Pattern" offers deep insights into "parts of the human psyche" as well as "reflect and express" various beliefs that are inherent to us humans (1).
Each "page" of this E-lit work has essentially the same color scheme: red, white and black. The fragments on each page move themselves into their assigned places, the text, however, remains in the middle of the screen; bright red for the reader to see. The text primarily voices the narrator's indecision and uncertainty about her life as a dressmakers daughter. It gives the impression that in the midst of tailoring and stitching, the protagonist's thoughts ultimately get the better of her and often distract her from her work. The pages also give the reader an indication of where to use each tool. As the reader utilizes the tools to complete the dress, the fragments shift and switch and bring the materials together. "Fitting the Pattern" is basically enabling the reader to "stitch" the jumbled pieces of the narrator's life together.
