Introduction to Literature

Introduction:

-- Functions of Literature (1): Narrative

-- Persepolis

-- “20/20”

2014/9/19

Outline Functions of Literature (1) Let’s Start with an episode of a Text:

Persepolis 1st Viewing: Plot, Character (2nd Viewing): Image, Form and Content

Elements of a Narrative Reading “20/20” –Group Discussion

Quiz and Course Introduction

What is Literature?

Fiction

Drama

Poetry

Artistic Representation of Life

Why Literature? (1)

Stories of our own and others

-- interesting ways of understanding the world!

Let’s Start with a Text about Iran:

Persepolis ( 茉莉人生 )

Iran

Iran – What do you know about it? The World's Most Reputable Countries, 2014

(Forbes): Switzerland (1), …Taiwan (29), China (50), Pakistan (54), Iran (55) (source)

Why? Possible Factors…

Ruhollah Khomeini, Islamic revolution 1979 Iran-Iraq war (1980-1988) In support of Taliban, one of US’s arch enemies

Persepolisgraphic fiction in 4 parts

(2000-2003)

film (2007)

Persepolis ( 茉莉人生 , 2007)Textbook pp. 20-28

While you watch the film: pay attention to

Character: Marji’s Personalities Pre-revolution: Westernized, loves Bruce Lee Idealistic and inquisitive

e.g. As future prophet, I hereby decide: First, everyone must behave well. Second, everyone must keep their word. Third, everyone must do good. Fourth, the poor must all eat one roasted

chicken every day. Fifth, old women will never suffer again.

Plot: Marji’s Growth 1. Flashback over her childhood: From Pro-Shah to Pro-Revolution

2. Beginning: the return of her aunt

-- children playing at a party; adults talking about politics or daily matters

3. 1st Turning Point: demonstration on the street

-- father’s teaching

-- Siamak returning and talking about tortures

4. 2nd Turning Point: children’s imitation

--mother’s interruption and Marji’s talk with God

Children’s Imitation

takes on the adults’ enthusiasm (or fanaticism)

What’s Wrong?

Narrative Perspective: an adult’s or a child’s?

Art = Re-Organization and Representation of Life

Pattern = -- Similarities & Differences-- Repetition & Variation

The Artistic Form = Drawing and Filmic Techniques

The black and white – to suggest an era of dictatorial control

Drawing to show different emotions and human situations –human closeness, fear, sadness

humans as shadows, with dignity, freedom, fantasies, liberty, or like puppets, etc.

A child’s perspective mixed with an adult’s

Child’s Perspective: God as Her Imaginary Companion

Marji speaking to God…

Large Figure for Our Identification w/ this Child

Variations of Shape and Shadows

Fear

Dignity

Human Smallness

The Grandmother – teaching her … to survive

To maintain her integrity

Jasmine – Care of the body

Persepolis: Background

For your reference

Ref. Persepolis: Time Line

1979 – enthusiastic about revolution 1981 -- age 12; Marji went to Vienne, smoked drug, fell in and

out of love 1987  --age 18; Marijane returned to Iran; got married and then

divorced.  1993 --age 24 -- Marjane left Iran again present -- Marjane Satrapi at the airport, unable to board a plane

to Iran.

• The Qajar dynasty ( 卡加王朝 )• 1925-1979  the Shah regime ( 巴列維王朝 ) • 1979 -- revolution; wearing the veil and anti-alcoholism • 1979-1989 -- the Khomenei era• 1980-1988  -- Iran–Iraq War

Textbook episode

Ref. National Authorities

The Shah The revolution

80’s – 90’s

Ref. Iraq vs. Iran War (1980-1988)

The US – • secretly supported Iraq in its production of chemical weapons. • sold weapons to Iran in exchange for the hostages ( 伊朗軍售醜聞 Iran-Contra Scandal—disclosed in 1986) (References: Reasons and Senate Mitchell’s Speech against Olive Northhttp://usinfo.org/zhtw/PUBS/AmReader/p842.htm )

Reasons: 1)Iran – Islamization of the nation; Iraq – reduces and controls religion; 2)Khomeini once expelled by Iraq; 3)the issue of Kurdish ( 庫德族） , etc. Father: “The West sold weapons to both sides. . . “

Ref. Opening & Ending –Exile & Mother-Daughter Relationships

1. Cannot return home

2. Acknowledges her Iranian background

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Ref. Marjane Satrapi (b. 1969)

Norton

20/20

Note 1:

-- carpool ( 共乘 )

e.g. When Harry Met Sally (1989)

-- 20/20 vision = 視力 1.0

Note 2: Ohio to Indiana to Spokane

Note 3

“Look, cows.” Chalk it up to =

attribute it to

source

What Ruthie observes

Sources (left to right): 1, 2, 3; Indian Paintbrush (West America or Asia)

What Ruthie thought she saw

Tree reflector Big Foot

Sources (left to right): 1, 2

What Ruthie thought she saw

UFO on top of Twin Falls, Idaho UFO Sighting Twin Falls 2012 UFO Sighting in Twin Falls, Idaho on April 14th

2014

A handsome genius in the person of Bill himself.

20/20: Questions for Discussion1. [Character] What is Bill's first impression of Ruthie?

What does that say about Bill? Has he changed his view on her as they drive along?

2. [Character] Which of Ruthie's observations are realistic and which are unreal? Do you think she is merely misinterpreting what she sees, or is she seeing things that aren't there?

3. [Theme] Whose vision is 20/20, Ruthie's or Bill's? What makes you think so?

4. [Association] Which one of them would you like to have as roommate, or travel partner?

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In class discussion –

1-6 in SF 204; 7-12 in SF 205

Q. Group Group Group 1 1 5 92 2 6 103 3 7 114 4 8 12

Discussion –in class and online

Let’s Take a Break!!! Those without a group or with questions,

please come see me.

Period 2: Discussion Time 10:10-11:00

Let’s Take a Break!!!

Turn on your smart phones, One group uses one tablet computer, and Connect them to Internet

1. Which of the following is NOT what Ruthie sees on the road, or thinks she sees?

1. An Indian paintbrush

2. A golden eagle

3. The store sign of Berger King

4. A UFO.

2. For Bill, Ruthie is

1. not argumentative like an East Coast woman

2. Not a good driver

3. Not attentive to the surroundings

4. Not willing to share fuel cost

3. When does Bill start to change his idea about Ruthie

1. When she says “Look, cows.”

2. When she sees Indian Paintbrush.

3. When she says she sees Big Foot.

4. When she sees a UFO.

4. What does Ruthie think about Bill?

1. A good-for-nothing

2. A male chauvinist

3. A lazy bone

4. A handsome guy

5. Do you anyone like Ruthie?

1. Yes, one of my family members

2. Yes, one of my friends

3. No

4. Not sure

Course Introduction

Fiction

Drama

Poetry

This course

selects interesting English poems, short stories (and a novel next semester) and plays for us to read and

-- appreciate how literary texts convey their meanings to us through both form and content; 

-- understand different literary genres, their conventions and components,

-- analyze different parts of a text and how they are connected to its overall meaning; and, most importantly,

-- relate (creatively) the knowledge and experience we have in reading English literature to our understanding of ourselves and our society.

Analytical Skills + understanding of Life

Reading Process: Understanding (with your own ‘horizon’ 地平線 )

Appreciation Interpretation Your Self-Understanding and horizon broadened.

It usually takes several readings to fully understand and appreciate a text.

While you read, keep your mind and hand busy—by doing annotations first and then raising and answering questions online and in class.

Please turn to the syllabus now.

Overall Plan of a Class Before class:

you first read the texts, and raise questions (before Wed. noon 12:00)

[optional and if available]

-- watching lecture-- for a general understanding;

-- 2nd reading + watching the discussion--think of your own answers to the questions raised

In class (the following order will be used flexibly) 1st hour: (comprehension) Quiz and lecture 2nd group discussion and in-group presentation 3rd group presentation and wrapping up the discussion

What have you learned today?

Analyzing a text (by examining its narrative elements) in order to understand others and broaden our horizons;

Reading process “20/20” –Character and Plot Our course objectives and

requirements

See you next time!

Assignments:

1)Finish “A&P” 2)Raise Questions before Wed. noon 12:00

Assignments:

1)Finish “A&P” 2)Raise Questions before Wed. noon 12:00