The 8th Block.: MPR's "Talking Volumes" with Sherman Alexie.

2.10.2008

MPR's "Talking Volumes" with Sherman Alexie.

Author Sherman Alexie recently ventured into young adult literature with two new books, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian and Flight. His books are sharp observations of growing up Indian among whites.

Alexie joined Kerri Miller on the stage of the Fitzgerald Theater on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007.

Listen to the program: Talking Volumes with Sherman Alexie.

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John Wins Last Bonus Opp Ever.

Congrats to John, who was the first student to email me the correct answer to how the answers to the "total number of pages read" poll below were strategically picked.

His answer was as follows:

All of these are years. 2008 is our current year, 1984 is the year you were born*, 1812 is for the war of 1812, 1776 is the declaration of independance, and 1492 is the year columbus sailed the ocean blue! These also have to do with American dates, as the course is "American Lit."

* Actually, I was born in 1981. But four outta five ain't bad. Especially in baseball. Which this isn't. But still . . .

The Truth about Bright Eyes.

The band name "Bright Eyes" was taken from Charlton Heston's character's nickname in Planet of the Apes, not Daisy's character description in The Great Gatsby. Sorry to disappoint.

"I looked back at my cousin who began to ask me questions in her low, thrilling voice. It was the kind of voice that the ear follows up and down as if each speech is an arrangement of notes that will never be played again. Her face was sad and lovely with bright things in it, bright eyes and a bright, passionate mouth . . ." (Fitzgerald, 13-14).

Lessons in Literature.

One: Everything in literature is intentional. Even when it’s not, it is. That said, not all things mean more than what they initially seem. But it might. Sometimes a hat is just a hat. Other times, though, a hat is Holden’s red hunting hat. Take Away: As readers, we must assume that writers know what they’re doing and have done it intentionally.

Addendum A: Rain always means something. Always.
Addendum B: Names do, too. Like Esperanza, Gatsby, and Daisy. Holden, too.
Addendum C: Mangoes and other exotic fruits always mean a very specific thing. But we’re not going to go there. Not yet…
Addendum D: Trees always mean things, especially ones bearing fruit.

Two: By direction, find indirection. Revision. Revision. Revision. A piece of writing is never completed, only abandoned. Take Away: Writing is a process. When you think you’re done, you’re probably not; there’s always more work to do.

Three: Literature is full of contradictions, paradoxes, oxymorons, and ironies. So, too, is life. This doesn't make one thing right and the other thing wrong. Both can exist and be in simultaneous harmony and tension. Take away: It's all about perspective.

Four: Every interpretation is not correct. Without substantial textual support and a clearly articulated, rational analysis, an interpretation is only as good as a guess. Back up your opinion. Validate it. Take Away: Take us there.

The 8th Block.

2.10.2008

MPR's "Talking Volumes" with Sherman Alexie.

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John Wins Last Bonus Opp Ever.

Photo Feature: Uncle Rico.

The Truth about Bright Eyes.

In Rotation: Selected 07-08 Highlights.

Lessons in Literature.

Recent Class Documents.

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