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Advanced Literary Theory

Seminar 8: Ethnic, Post-Colonial, and International Studies


In preparation for the seminar, do the following: Theory 1. Read Ryans short introduction to Ethnic Studies (LTPI 178-182). Science (today) tells us that external traits such as skin color cannot be construed as expressing internal ethnic essences or separable genetic identities (178-179). Still, race and ethnicity are (imaginary) qualities that we as students of literature and culture cannot ignore. Why? What are the two main projects that ethnic criticism is engaged in? 2. Read Ryans short introduction to Post-Colonial and Global English Studies (LTPI 194-197). Ryan states that Post-colonial literary scholars study both sides of the imperial equation (195). What are these sides, and how are they approached by postcolonial scholars? 3. Read the introduction to Ethnic Studies, Post-Coloniality, and International Studies: English Without Shadows, Literature on a World Scale (LTA 1071-1074). Why has the subject of English become so important and controversial, according to the authors? In what way could traditional English literature be considered repressive or harmful to certain people? 4. Read the excerpt from Toni Morrisons book Playing in the Dark (LTA 1005-1006). Morrison is proposing a radically new way of reading canonical American literature. In what way is her position as critic different from that of most other literary scholars? What does she mean by Africanist presence, and why is it so important when analyzing texts by white authors? Theory in practice You should all do the following, but you should each be prepared to initiate the discussion on one of the texts (approx. 5 minutes). 1. Read Bishops poem Brazil, January 1, 1502 and note down your immediate reaction. Then read Ryans post-colonial reading of it (LTPI 203-206). What are Ryans main arguments? Do you agree with his interpretation of the poem? 2. Following Ryans suggestions (LTPI 197-203), consider how a post-colonial reading of Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness may be carried out. 3. Following Ryans suggestions (LTPI 207-208), consider how an ethnic studies reading of Morrisons The Bluest Eye may be performed. How important are race and ethnicity in Pecolas search for a subject?

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