10: Additional Readings
- Page ID
- 320337
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Surveys global literature from 1700 to the present. This course emphasizes an understanding of the interplay of literary elements, literary criticism as well as the cultural context that influenced the works studied.
- 10.1: Matsuo Bashō (1644–1694)
- This page discusses Matsuo Bashō's "The Narrow Road to the Deep North," a 1694 poetic travelogue reflecting his journey through northeastern Japan, combining prose, haiku, and ink paintings. It explores themes of geography, history, and spirituality while embodying 17th-century Japanese culture and Zen Buddhism. The work was revised post-travel and has seen various translations, impacting modern interpretations.
- 10.2: François-Marie Arouet de Voltaire (1694-1778)
- This page discusses Voltaire, a key Enlightenment figure, who advocated for reason and individual liberty. His 1759 novella "Candide" critiques Optimism and highlights human suffering through satire. Reflecting his disdain for organized religion and absolute monarchies, the work also addresses his personal experiences with imprisonment. With wit and irony, Voltaire challenges the notion that everything has a reason, particularly in response to disasters like the 1755 Lisbon earthquake.
- 10.3: Frederick Douglass (1818–1895)
- This page details the life of Frederick Douglass, a former slave who became a prominent human rights activist and abolitionist. Separated from his family, he learned to read and write, which ignited his quest for freedom. Douglass escaped slavery, married, and became a significant speaker and writer, notably sharing the harsh realities of slavery.
- 10.4: William Wordsworth (1770-1850)
- This page discusses William Wordsworth, a significant figure in British Romanticism known for his lyrical poetry that celebrates nature's beauty. Initially less recognized than peers like Tennyson and Byron, he gained acclaim posthumously. He co-founded the "Lake Poets" with Coleridge and Southey, and their collaborative work "Lyrical Ballads" featured Wordsworth's "Tintern Abbey.
- 10.5: Charles Baudelaire (1821-1867)
- This page details the life and work of Charles Baudelaire, a key figure transitioning from Romanticism to Realism, renowned for his collection The Flowers of Evil, which faced scandal for its themes. Known as a "cursed poet" due to his troubled existence, Baudelaire influenced literature profoundly despite his struggles, including financial difficulties and themes of sex, death, and depression. His exploration of prose poetry in Paris Spleen further impacted Modernist and Symbolist movements.
- 10.6: Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)
- This page discusses Emily Dickinson, a significant yet underappreciated American poet whose nearly 1800 poems were mostly published after her death. Her work merges Romanticism with Realist elements, exploring themes of self-meaning, love, death, and nature through unconventional language and humor. Influenced by Modernism, her innovative style has since garnered recognition, inviting readers to reflect on her distinct interpretations of familiar themes.
- 10.7: Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941)
- Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941) was a pivotal figure in Indian Modernism, advocating for a distinct form of modernization that emphasizes independence from tradition instead of Western imitation. Emerging from the Bengal Renaissance and born into a prominent family, he was a prolific writer and the first non-Western Nobel Laureate in Literature in 1913. His short story "Cabuliwallah" illustrates his modernist themes of friendship, socio-economic status, and family.
- 10.8: Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910)
- This page discusses Leo Tolstoy's transformation from a privileged life to one of simplicity, emphasizing realism in his major works, "War and Peace" and "Anna Karenina," which tackle themes of morality and societal corruption. His religious conversion prompted a rejection of the Orthodox Church, promoting a pure Christianity lived among peasants. In "The Death of Ivan Ilyich," he critiques self-centered high society, finding value in authenticity.
- 10.9: Henrik Ibsen (1828-1906)
- This page discusses Henrik Ibsen, known as the "father of Realism" and modern theater, focusing on his critiques of societal moral hypocrisy in works such as *An Enemy of the People*, *Ghosts*, and *A Doll's House*. These plays highlight themes of shared guilt, challenge gender roles, and reveal that seeking truth can be complicated by societal resistance, emphasizing the struggle between individual desires and societal expectations.
- 10.10: Lu Xun (1881-1936)
- This page discusses "Diary of a Madman," a significant short story by Lu Xun, published in 1918. It critiques Confucianism and presents a cannibalistic society, drawing inspiration from Gogol. Lu Xun, a key figure in modern Chinese literature, merged traditional and modern educational influences, reflecting his leftist leanings without joining the Communist Party. The story serves as an allegory that encourages exploration of reliability, societal critique, and narrative style differences.
- 10.11: W. B. Yeats (1865-1939)
- This page explores W.B. Yeats' literary journey through movements like Victorianism, Realism, and Modernism. It highlights his mystical poetry, contrasting early works like "The Lake Isle of Innisfree" with later pieces such as "Easter, 1916," which reflect realism and critical themes. Yeats' unrequited love for Maud Gonne significantly influenced his writing.
- 10.12: T.S. Eliot (1888-1965)
- T.S. Eliot (1888-1965) was a prominent American/British modernist poet known for works like "The Waste Land" and "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock." Educated at Harvard and influenced by Ezra Pound, Eliot's poetry addresses post-WWI disillusionment, time, and tradition. His essay "Tradition and Individual Talent" discusses how poets interact with history and society. He received the Nobel Prize in 1948, solidifying his impact on literature.
- 10.13: Anna Akhmatova (1889-1996)
- This page discusses Anna Akhmatova, a significant Russian poet (1889-1966) known for her poignant reflections on suffering during Soviet oppression. Choosing to remain in Russia post-Bolshevik Revolution, she faced personal tragedies while advocating the Acmeist movement, emphasizing human emotions. Her notable work, "Requiem," captures themes of despair and resilience. Akhmatova received numerous accolades later in life, solidifying her status as an important literary figure.
- 10.14: Gabriel García Márquez (1927-2014)
- This page discusses Gabriel García Márquez, a celebrated Colombian author known for magical realism in works like "One Hundred Years of Solitude" and "A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings." Influenced by his grandparents' stories, Márquez combined supernatural elements with realistic settings. Starting as a journalist, he lived in multiple countries and supported the Cuban regime.
- 10.15: Seamus Heaney (1939-2013)
- Seamus Heaney (1939-2013) was a significant Irish poet from County Derry, whose upbringing in a conflicted Protestant-Catholic environment influenced his work. Gaining acclaim with "Death of a Naturalist," he won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1995. His key works like "North," "Field Work," and "The Haw Lantern" blend personal experiences with societal themes, though he typically avoided strong political positions in his poetry.
- 10.16: Hanan al-Shaykh (1945- )
- Hanan al-Shaykh, a Lebanese writer born in 1945, is known for her impactful contributions to contemporary literature while residing in London. Growing up in a patriarchal society, she turned to writing to express her pursuit of freedom. A former journalist, her notable works like "Suicide of a Dead Man" and "The Women's Swimming Pool" delve into themes of modernity, tradition, and women's autonomy in the Arab world, shaped by her personal experiences.
- 10.17: Leslie Marmon Silko (1948- )
- This page details the life and work of Leslie Marmon Silko, a prominent Native American writer born in 1948. Raised in Laguna Pueblo, she merges traditional storytelling with modern themes. Her notable works include her debut "Tony's Song" and the acclaimed novel "Ceremony." Silko's narratives often focus on healing and reconciliation, with "Yellow Woman" exploring themes of identity and cultural symbolism through the lens of a myth about abduction and return.
- 10.18: Haruki Murakami (1949- )
- This page discusses Haruki Murakami's short story "The Second Bakery Attack," which combines realism and surrealism. First published in 1985 and part of "The Elephant Vanishes," it emphasizes themes like insatiable hunger and gender dynamics in marriage. The story is notable for its interior monologue and cultural references. Murakami is recognized as a significant contemporary literary figure, with many of his works translated into English.
- 10.19: Jamaica Kincaid (1949- )
- This page discusses Jamaica Kincaid, born in 1949 in Antigua, who is a significant contemporary author and Harvard Professor. Her impoverished upbringing and complex relationship with her mother heavily influence her writing. After relocating to New York, she contributed to notable magazines like The New Yorker.
- 10.20: Joy Harjo (1951- )
- This page highlights Joy Harjo, a prominent Mvskoke poet and musician born in 1951, whose work delves into Native American history, feminism, and current social issues. Her poetry, such as "The Woman Who Fell From the Sky," emphasizes cultural interconnectedness and often blends oral storytelling with music. As the first Native American U.S. Poet Laureate, Harjo's performances deepen the interpretation of her work, providing a distinctive viewpoint on the experiences of Native American women.
Thumbnail: Old book bindings at the Merton College library. (CC BY-SA 3.0; Tom Murphy VII via Wikipedia).