Week 2: Intro to Graduate Study

I am still sick. I coughed the whole time. We discussed Northanger Abbey. During the break everyone gave me suggestions on what to do to stop coughing. I'm sick of suggestions, and death stares.

Paper Due : Monday October 3rd. Topic-- Northanger Abbey  -- Ugh.

Week 1: Cervantes

Our 45 minute introductory class covered the following:

1. passing out the syllabus
2. there are 2 class dates we need to make up b/c the prof will be out of town
3. writing trivial facts about ourselves on note cards

End of class. See you next week.

Week 1: Introduction to Graduate Study

So, I am finally taking the only required course for MALit students. Basically this course is designed to introduce you to writing research/term papers and reading novels. Probably would have made sense to take this class first-- but since they only offer it in Fall and I started in Winter, I have completed 4 classes (term papers and all) before taking this one. Oh well.

The first week was just introductions. Basically, I sat in the room coughing up a lung (bronchitis) and assuring everyone that I was no longer contagious. We have to read Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen for next week. I have already read it, I didn't enjoy it. I have started it again-- still not thrilled. Hopefully I get through this first round of boring female writers so I can move on to other more interesting (though, in the case of our next book, highly over-taught ) literature.

Other observations from the first week;
1. not as many in this "required" class as I was expecting
2. when asked, " what do you read?" everyone in this program is such a ridiculous snob, listing high brow literature by famously difficult authors-- right..  you read that on your ipad at the beach ---liar.

Week 4: Beats

This week we discussed the differences between the actual Beat generation and the Beatnik which was an exploited version of the stereotype, as seen above. Our professor showed us multiple examples (including this one) of poorly associated literature covers claiming to be part of the Beat movement. Silly.

We then discussed jazz, Jack Kerouac and spontaneous prose. It was beautiful and frustrating at the same time. I read The Subterraneans as it was intended, quickly, and as if listening to a great jazz performance. I enjoyed it. I did not overly examine the use or misuse of punctuation, nor did I mark notes in my margins examining each word. Come on people, don't you listen to jazz, don't you read for pleasure? Don't you do anything other than try to be perfect academic intellectuals? Ugh!

Meanwhile, my response paper this week which discussed how this book was written as a jazz performance, and was meant to be read that way?.... A+ bitches. A+.

Week 4: Inferno

Last night, we discussed the structure of Hell. The Circles of Hell are as follows:
1. Limbo
2. Lust
3. Gluttony
4. Greed
5. Anger
6. Heresy
7. Violence
8. Fraud

Thus,  murders are in the 7th circle, while fraudulent investment bankers-- yeah, they are down there at the bottom. ;)

Week 3: Beats

On the Road. We discussed the "hatred" for Dean Moriarity, the mis-treatment of women as they are portrayed in the story and the overwhelming since of the road being for men only.

I disagree.

After class I said, " I think I read a different book." I love Dean's character, the fact that he is wild, and out of control and aimless reminds me of my youth, draws you in to his experience and makes the story enjoyable. I was not struck with any mis-treatment of women, nor was I annoyed by their portrayal. Yes, Dean leaves several women along the way, and yes, they aren't always spoken of in the best manner--  but the story is essentially a story of male friendship. And, when boys are with each other, in their little group, they don't refer to women in the politically correct sense, and who cares? Also, the "road" isn't for men only-- this story just happened to be written by an author relaying his own life with his friends.

And, at the end of class we discussed how our professor would like us to read  the next Kerouac book-- he wants us to READ it. Not, "close read" it. No notes in the margins, no pre-typed paragraphs of witty interesting things to say in class... you know just-- read the damn book.

Finally! That's what I always do. It's about time we cut the bull sh*t. This is a class about the Beat Generation.

Week 3: Inferno

We learned a lot of historical information this week. I was very tired, and thirsty (forgot my water). But, we covered Cantos 6-10, which is the Third-Fourth circle of Hell. These circles include the sins of gluttony, heresy and greed. 

As always, we got to see some artwork and learned about the area of Florence and Tuscany. (which I really enjoy and am looking forward to seeing)

Our professor told us of the chamber of the Nine Priors, also known as the room of good and bad government, in which the very large fresco depicts good government on one side vs. bad government on the other. Hopefully, Dave and I get to see this when we are in Tuscany.