Modernist recap

For Thursday, November 5, think about all the modernist poetry and prose we've read in class. Write down at least three things that make these texts "modernist." I.e. what are the criteria - -thematic, technique - - that make a text "modernist"?

Many historians point to the Armory Show of 1913 as an authentic starting point for American modernism. From February 17th to March 15th, 1913, organizers presented an exhibition of about 1250 paintings, sculptures, and other works in the 69th Regiment Armory on Lexington Avenue in New York City. Many critics and viewers were shocked by the show; many, especially younger, artists and critics were energized and inspired by the show.

For next class, instead of meeting in Burk Hall, we'll meet in the 69th Regiment Armory on Lexington Avenue. Virtually, of course. Instead of coming to class on Tuesday, November 10, point your browser to: the Armory galleries. Take a tour of the show - - browse through as many rooms as you can. Afterward, write a 3 page review (typed) of the show.

Address your review to a classmate who asks the question: what makes this stuff modern? E.g. think about all the modernist poetry and prose that we've read. What connections do you see between the artwork in the Armory Show and the texts we've read in class? Think about our "Modernist recap" on Thursday where we tried to arrive at four broad ways of describing the modernist ambition and aesthetic.

Don't try to write about the whole exhibition; instead, focus on two or three works of art - - sculpture or painting - - that seem particularly related to the poetry and prose that we've read. What similar subject matter do they share? What similar techniques? What similar approaches to the reader, to the art work, to the artistic effect, and to tradition?

Hand in the review on Tuesday, November 17.

Secrets of Google Sites revealed . ... .

Many of you have had trouble logging into the Eliot wiki and accessing the edit functions. I worked a bit with some of you after class on Tuesday, and I think this is the problem: in order to accept the invitation to the wiki and gain full access, you must sign up for google with your SFSU email address. I.e. I sent the invitations via the batch function on my SFSU roster page, so google is inviting you via your SFSU email. You are identified by this email, not any existing gmail account.

So . . . if you're still having trouble: go to the original message from me inviting you to join the Eliot wiki; click on the link to access the wiki; when you are asked to create a google account, use your SFSU email to create your account. This should get you into the wiki . . . if not, email me.

Using the wiki

Some of you have reported that you're having some issues with the wiki. Here's a brief guide to how to use the Eliot wiki. Enjoy!

For Tuesday, October 27

For Tuesday, let's finish up Hemingway's In Our Time.

Also, surf over to our Eliot wiki. Click on your motif to open up your wiki page. On the wiki page for your motif: click on "edit page" at the top of the page; select an example of your motif from the poem; quote the example; then, explain the example - - what is happening with the motif at this point in the poem? what is the motif signifying at this point in the poem? how does this instance of the motif relate to other instances of the motif? Write as much as you can - -bonus points for length - - and type your name after your comments; click on "save."

For Tuesday, October 20

Don't forget, for Tuesday, you want to select one motif from the 15 or so that we collected from "Burial of the Dead" in The Waste Land. Find as many instances or examples of that motif in the rest of the poem as you can. Cite the lines where you find the motif. Remember - - you are looking for concrete examples of the motif and/or its variations. Bring this list into class.

Here's the list of motifs from our last class:

Seasons/natural time

life-in-death; undead; zombie

plagiarism/cultural pastiche

exile

voices/ventriloquy/polyphony

nostalgia/memory

dryness/drought vs. wetness/water

roots/plant/organic

"broken images"/isolate flecks/fragments

sailors/voyages/ocean

hyacinth girl: men and women; impotence

crowds

"unreal city"/ city/London

"hypocrite lecteur"/the reader

deaf/mute/blindness

mixing

The Waste Land

For Thursday, we'll continue with Eliot's "The Waste Land."

Here's a nice recording of Eliot reading the poem:

You might also want to check out this very interesting annotated, multimedia version of the poem.