Literature - Texts and Contexts
Literature - Texts and Contexts,
We look at literary texts in the contexts in which they were written and read.
"Students will be asked to consider not only the social issues inherent in a text (such as gender issues, political issues, conflicts between the individual and society), but also the ways in which the literary devices at work (such as narrative structure, elements of style) could be influencing the meaning of the text. Rounding out this holistic approach to a work is the student’s consideration of his or her own personal reading of a text" (ibo.org).
Throughout this part of the course, we will:
Introduction to the text and its context (learner.org)
Introduction to Igbo life and Culture
More on Igbo life
Even more on Igbo culture
An interview with Chinua Achebe (The Art of Fiction from The Paris Review)
An African Voice - an article about Achebe (theatlantic.com)
We look at literary texts in the contexts in which they were written and read.
"Students will be asked to consider not only the social issues inherent in a text (such as gender issues, political issues, conflicts between the individual and society), but also the ways in which the literary devices at work (such as narrative structure, elements of style) could be influencing the meaning of the text. Rounding out this holistic approach to a work is the student’s consideration of his or her own personal reading of a text" (ibo.org).
Throughout this part of the course, we will:
- Consider the changing historical, cultural and social contexts in which particular texts are written and received.
- Demonstrate how the formal elements of the text, genre, and structure can not only be seen to influence meaning but can also be influenced by context.
- Understand the attitudes and values expressed by literary texts and their impact on readers.
Introduction to the text and its context (learner.org)
Introduction to Igbo life and Culture
More on Igbo life
Even more on Igbo culture
An interview with Chinua Achebe (The Art of Fiction from The Paris Review)
An African Voice - an article about Achebe (theatlantic.com)
Author & Contextual Information
Related Articles & Websites
Context readings for A Doll's House, Ibsen, and Realism - a variety of ideas and videos for understanding Ibsen and his work (read the last 2 articles: Enemy of the People & Ibsen and Realism)
Realism & A Doll's House
Gender Roles in the 18th Century - first two sections
Ideals of Womanhood in Victorian Britain (bbc.co.uk)
Gender Roles in the 19th Century (British Library - bl.uk)
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette and Manual of Politeness(online version; original published in 1860)
Women and the Napoleonic Code
The Weird World of Victorian EtiquetteGender & Sociology - good introduction to gender roles (boundless.com)
Why Women Still Can't Have It All (The Atlantic)
The Thing All Women Do that You Don't Know (Huffington Post)
The Everyday Sexism Project - anecdotes of everyday sexism
Higher Unlearning - Men & Masculinity
Expectations of Masculinity (The Good Men Project)
Weinstein and the Economics of Consent (The Atlantic)