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Regions feature in literary texts in different ways: certain areas/places were hotspots for literary movements, authors who live(d) in a region may be connected to this area in special ways and regions can be important as settings for literature. While some regions like the American South feature prominent, other regions are considered less frequently for their influence on writings. This seminar will investigate the interconnections between American regions and literary texts to show how region can be seen as one key aspect of American literature and to analyze the changing strategies to narrate regions over time. Starting in colonial times on the East coast with excerpts from William Bradford’s “Of Plymouth Plantation”, we will journey through regions from East to West and from North to South and discuss texts from colonial times to the present. Utilizing approaches / methods from critical regionalism and Border Studies to analyze our corpus, we will look at various aspects to highlight region from the local color tradition to current developments. Our readings will mostly consist of short stories, for example Washington Irving’s “Rip van Winkle,” Bret Harte’s “The Luck of Roaring Camp,” or Annie Proulx’s “Brokeback Mountain” plus Hernan Diaz’ novel In the Distance.
Readings:
The shorter primary texts as well as a selection of secondary material will be made available.
You have to buy Hernan Diaz’ novel: if possible in this edition: Diaz, Hernan. In the Distance. Daunt Books, 2018. EAN: 9781911547235.
Requirements:
Active participation, including reading and writing assignments, participation in class discussion, a short presentation and a seminar paper. |
