Writing Across Cultures

After reading the short science fiction story by Ghana writer Victor Sabah, please continue working on your African writing project. Attempt to complete a draft by the end of class today. Please continue working on your project over break if you did not complete it in class. Please read Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart and be prepared for a typical test on the book. Much of Things Fall Apart revolve around the concept of Colonialism . Take a look at the article at the link for specific details. In addition, please read and take notes on Post-Colonialism in literature at this link , and be prepared to explain how the book Things Fall Apart meets or exceeds the concepts relevant to this subject. HOMEWORK: As above. Have a nice spring break!

Julia Mann video interview  (African-American student author/producer)... Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie interview (contemporary Nigerian author) and Botswana's most influential writer... Bessie Head (1937-1986) Is the author of: When the Rain Clouds Gather (1968) A Question of Power (1973) Maru (1971) A Collector of Treasures (1977) A Woman Alone To Stir the Heart Nugugi wa Thiong'o  (1938-) now works at the University of California in Comparative Literature. His novels include: Petals of Blood (1977) Weep Not Child Devil on the Cross (1982) The River Between Dreams in a Time of War  Wizard of the Crow (2006) And various non-fiction books: including Writers in Politics, Decolonizing the Mind , and the play I Will Marry When I Wan t. He was exiled from his native country and now lives and teaches in California. Doris Lessing : 2007 Nobel Prize for Literature: (1919-2013) is usually considered a British author, although she was born in Iran (Persia at t

Chinua Achebe  was born Albert Chinualumogu Achebe in the  Igbo  village of Ogidi (Nigeria) in 1930. Achebe became fascinated with world religions and traditional African cultures from an early age, and began writing stories as a university student. After graduation, he worked for the Nigerian Broadcasting Service. Later he began teaching, and immigrated to the U.S. He taught at Bard College for fifteen years and was awarded the Man Booker International Prize in 2007. In recent years he was an Africana Studies professor at Brown University. He died in 2013 at the age of 82. There are a variety of  allusions  in  Things Fall Apart  that you may wish to know about. The first is the title, which refers to  William Butler Yeats  poem  The Second Coming . As you read, consider the connection of central themes between the book and the poem. Themes and motifs  in Achebe's writing include traditions of Igbo or African society, the effect of Christian influences on said culture, and

This morning learn about some African cultures. Take notes and reflect. Read the article(s) and poems. Reflect. Discuss the short stories: Civil Peace and Africa Emergent. Discuss articles/poetry. When ready, begin the African writing/research project.

Alternate Art Resource: Visit the Baobab Center on University Avenue. Peruse. Become inspired. Write. Repeat. • Choose a country in Africa. • Research the culture of this country. Take notes. These notes will be turned in for credit during this project! Please use MLA format for your works cited page. See the sidebar for MLA format and information. • Remember: Culture can include: food, fashion, quality of living, economics, historical events, government, philosophy/religion, traditions, entertainment, music, literature, dance, art, roles of men, women, and children, education, sexual orientation, ethics, minority classes, etc. • Look for areas of conflict (as conflict is often what stories, plays, and poems focus on). A Good story is usually about a person trying to find their place in their world. Often outside forces or rules prevent a character from achieving his/her goal until he/she finds a way to win. Most stories are about surviving--not about being defeated or crushe

As you read Fun Home by Alison Bechdel, you may be interested in learning a little more about her. Take a gander at www.dykestowatchoutfor.com . The Bechdel Test The Bechdel Test: Oscars 2011 Analyzing the Bechdel Test in 21st Century Narratives HOMEWORK: Please read Fun Home and complete the reading questions/handout. You should complete your reading of this book by Friday, March 13.

Geva's Young Writer's Showcase: Submit up to 3 of your 10-minute play scripts (after you proofread them) to this link: youngwriters@gevatheatre.org Please include a title page with clear contact information: Name Address Phone # Email In the post below, please make a comment if you have entered your play so you can get credit from me. Upcoming Events: March 19: period 2/3 - Master Class with Karen Thompson Walker, author of The Age of Miracles . Bring your journals and your imagination! March 25-28: Playwrights' Festival: March 25: Guest Writer's Panel on Writing for the Stage: 7:00 Black Box (free event) March 26: Play script readings: Please submit play scripts you would like to see staged and/or read! 7:00 Black Box (free event) March 27: 24-Hour Play Festival: if you are interested in acting, directing or writing, please let Ms. Gamzon or Mr. Craddock know. March 28: 24-Hour Play Festival Performance: Black Box ($5 admission/fund raiser for our