Jane Eyre is a document of British imperialism. Heart of Darkness depicts Africans as savages. To Kill a Mockingbird embodies the white savior complex. Lolita glorifies pedophilia and rape.
If you follow contemporary literary culture, you’ve heard critiques like these—and you may not know quite what to make of them. Is it possible to appreciate a work of art while finding aspects of it politically or morally offensive? Should socially retrograde novels be cast aside to make way for a more diverse and inclusive literary canon? Is it mistaken to judge classics by contemporary standards? In this class, we’ll reread the four novels above and consider their position at the crossroads of politics and literature while thinking through these essential questions.
Jan 20: Jane Eyre Feb 24: Heart of Darkness Mar 17: To Kill a Mockingbird Apr 14: Lolita
Students may purchase books at Bookshop.org. Sessions will be recorded and made available to registered students for later viewing.
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