If I were to list the books related to this course off the top of my head that affected me, I would immediately have to say Kate DiCamillo's The Tale of Despereaux and Brian Selznick's The Invention of Hugo Cabret. I think the inventiveness on behalf of the author -- from DiCamillo's "unlikely hero with big ears" that made my heart swell twenty times the size of my chest a zillion times throughout the novel to Selznick's innovative method of story-telling through prose and illustrations -- is what make these stories unforgettable. Personally I am glad I have copies of these books in my possession since I hope I can share them with my children in the future.
I should also note that Judy Blundell's What I Saw and How I Lied also touched me as it made me think of the subtle and not-so-subtle power issues of anti-semitism prevalent in America even after World War II. This very adult matter (rather than the scandalous romantic entanglement[s]) struck me as unique. I've read reviews where people felt the theft from the Jews during the Holocaust was cliched, but I think anti-semitism is more than just her step-father's questionable actions. We see anti-semitism in how the Graysons are treated at the hotel and how Ruthie is treated by Evie's former best friend. By offering Evie (and the audience) that very up-close and personal encounter with anti-semitism helps shape the protagonist's future outlook.
Overall, I highly enjoyed the reading list for this course. However, if I had to name one book that left me underwhelmed, I think it would be Avi's Cross of Lead. I enjoy Avi and really enjoyed the video of him that we watched. But when it came to this particularly novel, I struggled to connect to it.
This class has helped me reconnect to a part of literary consciousness that I felt I missed out on. I was too busy reading "adult" books (Jurassic Park and the Hot Zone for example) that I missed out on such gems as these.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
9
When considering cultural studies and intertextuality in regards to Sherman Alexie's Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, I cannot help but remember Alexie's acceptance speech and our class discussion regarding Alexie and African-American young adult literature. I do think that the themes presented in this novel can be appropriated toward other groups, but also that all students can feel that alienation and frustration that Arnold felt.
I also think of the concept of code-switching, where how you present yourself at home is different from how you may interact with your peers at school. I feel this has a universality to it, particularly for minorities. With Arnold's struggle to fit in but stand out, it can be a challenge to figure out how to present yourself and still feel true to yourself when in a different society.
Another thing I keep thinking about is this ableist mentality evident through prejudice shown against Arnold due to his brain damage. I haven't thought it out much more than that.
I also think of the concept of code-switching, where how you present yourself at home is different from how you may interact with your peers at school. I feel this has a universality to it, particularly for minorities. With Arnold's struggle to fit in but stand out, it can be a challenge to figure out how to present yourself and still feel true to yourself when in a different society.
Another thing I keep thinking about is this ableist mentality evident through prejudice shown against Arnold due to his brain damage. I haven't thought it out much more than that.
Monday, April 13, 2009
8
To deconstruct a novel is to "unravel" its "threads" -- by loosening something away from the tightly woven text, it will shed light on understanding the text in a different way.
If I want to think literally about threads -- as in fabric and thus clothes -- I can't help but think of the dresses and outfits that are described in Judy Blundell's What I Saw and How I Lied. Something seemingly insignificant gives insight into the female characters in this period drama. Bev, the protagonist Evie's vivacious mother, purposefully restricts Evie from wearing flattering or attention-getting clothes in an attempt to distract Evie from realizing she's actually very pretty. Bev herself wears these womanly clothes and has been known to be quite a flirt if not suspected (and convicted) of more. Mrs. Grayson and Bev walk in on Evie trying desperately to appear like a woman in one of Bev's dresses. When Mrs. Grayson gives Evie the means to dress herself more like a young lady, we see a more confident Evie that is not so fearful of her mother (and Bev is even in a more relaxed state when they first stay in Florida).
During the trial, it is made important that the Bev dresses more conservatively. Even more, Evie's perjured admission to wearing one of her mother's dresses in order to meet Peter is essential to the story as it was the clothing that was noticed by Walter the witness.
The more I think about it, I think that examining the significance of the clothes in Bludell's What I Saw and How I Lied would shed a new light onto Blundell's text.
If I want to think literally about threads -- as in fabric and thus clothes -- I can't help but think of the dresses and outfits that are described in Judy Blundell's What I Saw and How I Lied. Something seemingly insignificant gives insight into the female characters in this period drama. Bev, the protagonist Evie's vivacious mother, purposefully restricts Evie from wearing flattering or attention-getting clothes in an attempt to distract Evie from realizing she's actually very pretty. Bev herself wears these womanly clothes and has been known to be quite a flirt if not suspected (and convicted) of more. Mrs. Grayson and Bev walk in on Evie trying desperately to appear like a woman in one of Bev's dresses. When Mrs. Grayson gives Evie the means to dress herself more like a young lady, we see a more confident Evie that is not so fearful of her mother (and Bev is even in a more relaxed state when they first stay in Florida).
During the trial, it is made important that the Bev dresses more conservatively. Even more, Evie's perjured admission to wearing one of her mother's dresses in order to meet Peter is essential to the story as it was the clothing that was noticed by Walter the witness.
The more I think about it, I think that examining the significance of the clothes in Bludell's What I Saw and How I Lied would shed a new light onto Blundell's text.
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