The seminar considers how a number of contemporary women writers address cultural identity in the American South in their novels. To this end, the intersections of race, class and gender with history and memory will be under scrutiny with regard to how these texts are involved in doing culture.
Questions to be considered include:
- What is meant by the culture of the American South? Is there really a homogeneous culture of the American South?
- Does the South’s past still play significant roles in contemporary affairs? And if so, why? Which past and whose past is relevant to the continued existence of the South as a viable society?
Students should have acquired and read the primary texts before the Summer Semester begins. Do consider getting the text editions provided below to facilitate text references in class. A reader will be made available.
Texts:
- Toni Cade Bambara. The Salt Eaters. The Women’s Press. 2000. [1980]
- Alice Childress. Like One of the Family. Beacon Press. 1986.
- Dorothy Allison. Bastard out of Carolina. Plume, Penguin. 1992
- Sue Monk Kidd. The Secret Life of Bees. Penguin Books. 2002.
- Kathryn Stockett. The Help. Penguin Books.2009. |
