Writing X Culture--France; David Sedaris - Part Deux

By -
Period 1:

Please continue writing your non-fiction pieces. Leave some time to view a few of these videos below before period 2. I will announce in class when you should move toward checking out the videos. Either way, if you don't get to them today, please watch them for homework, respond to them in some sort of writing, and reflect on the material as it applies to David Sedaris and our class content.

As you watch these videos, consider the following concepts/terms we have covered in class and begin learning these terms. You should be able to find evidence in the texts you read or the videos you watch of these things:
  • Culture
  • Cultural Relativism
  • Stereotype
  • Language & semiotics (symbols)
  • Taboos
  • Hegemonic group
Dealing With Conflicts in a Culture Outside of Our Own:


Period 2: Let's listen to "Me Talk Pretty One Day"
As we listen, consider the following questions:

  1. How does Sedaris REFLECT on his life or experiences in the essay? Can you identify where he switches his narrative to reflect on meaning?
  2. Where does Sedaris exaggerate or use hyperbole as literary tool for his comic writing? Is he successful? 
  3. How does culture provide for an appropriate conflict in the essay? Can you identify the terms above in this essay? How do these concepts function in the essay?
Discuss and answer these questions in your small assigned group.

HOMEWORK: Complete the videos at the links above. Prepare for a quiz on our cultural terms. Please read the essay, "See You Again, Yesterday". 

Comments

gena driscoll said…
1. David Sedaris reflects on his life through self deprecating jokes and anecdotes. For example, he jokes about how his mother doesn’t love him, recounting a conversion at the dinner table in which she professed her love for steak cooked rare, her cat, and tums, absentmindedly leaving her children off the list. He often writes about his own social awkwardness. After describing countless examples of his emotionally abusive teacher, he reflects on the joy he found in making progress in learning a new language. He reflects, “I could understand every word that someone was saying. Understanding doesn’t mean that you can suddenly speak the language.” He responds to his teacher’s insults, “The world opened up, and it was with great joy that I responded “I know the thing that you speak exact now. Talk me more, you, plus, please, plus.”
2. Sedaris uses hyperbole when describing his teacher’s egregious behavior. It seems unlikely that the teacher actually stabbed a student with a pencil, without facing any consequence. He uses hyperbole successfully, it makes his work comical.
3. Culture can be controversial because people have their own way of doing things, and are reluctant to be open minded to other cultures. His teacher fit the stereotype of a “rude French person.” The language barrier really illustrated a large divide between the two cultures.
September 18, 2014 at 9:34 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Namesake Analysis/Discussion Chp. 1 & 2; How It Feels To Be Colored Me

By -
Image
Let's go back to examining  The Namesake , Chapter 1 this morning to continue examining the writing style going on here. Take a closer look at these passages: Pg. 3 (1st full paragraph) to 4 (end of 1st full paragraph): How is Ashima's character compared/contrasted with the American women in the hospital? What do you notice about the sentence structure of this paragraph? What does the use of dialogue in this paragraph provide for the reader? What literary devices do you notice? Can you find figurative language/metaphor/alliteration or other elements of imagery? How are the sentences similar to a contraction (the action in the scene)? Pg. 10-12: how is Ashoke's character presented? How does his story parallel or contrast with his wife's? How is Ashoke different from the other American men in the waiting room? What details do we learn about him?  Pg. 13-14: Nickolai Gogol and the short story "The Overcoat" is alluded to here. Just notice it for now. This al
Read more

Clash of the Titans (Conclusion); Creation Myths

By -
Clash of the Titans (conclusion) Clash of the Titans   (1981)--produced and designed by  Ray Harryhausen . Directed by  Desmond Davis . Starring:  Laurence Olivier  as Zeus,  Maggie Smith  as Thetis,  Harry Hamlin  as Perseus, and  Burgess Meredith  as Ammon. Clash of the Titans (2010) & Clash of the Titans (2010) Medusa Scene Wrath of the Titans (2012) Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief (2010) Percy Jackson Sea of Monsters (2013) Percy Jackson Titan's Curse (2017) Use mythic criticism to review (in writing or as a podcast or vlog post)  Clash of the Titans . Take notes during the film to help you prepare your review. Myth Criticism  asks: 1. How does the story resemble other stories in plot, character, setting or use of symbols? 2. Are archetypes presented, such as quests, initiations, scapegoats, descending, or withdrawals and returns? [Use your handout/notes to help!] 3. Does the protagonist undergo any kind of transformation (such as movement from innoc
Read more

Wilderness Tips - Examination & Analysis

By -
Image
Use period one to continue the story draft you started last class. Use your time to develop your ideas, theme, work on plot, character development, setting, and other aspects of your fiction writing. Remember, your story should include the following: Write a draft that includes a flashback . Consider an urban setting, but at some point in your story, move to a more natural setting. The setting should reflect the inner conflicts of your protagonist if possible. Avoid character cliches: surprise your reader (and possibly yourself or even your character) Include a secondary character who should act as a foil to the protagonist. Write in present tense ; (flashbacks can be written in past tense); Use 3rd person POV (limited, omniscient, objective). See the previous post for more details. Period 2: Let's discuss what we've read so far in the collection. Wilderness Tips is   Margaret Atwood’s second volume of short stories ( Bluebeard’s Egg and Other Stories (198
Read more