Sharon Lockett

LITR 5731 Midterm--Web Review

Review and Preparation:  approx. 1.5 hrs. 

Writing, editing, revision: approx 1.5 hrs

2003:  LITR 4333--Midterm:

            For many minority groups, a shared language is what keeps them unified.  And often, when one minority member begins to speak English or move in dominant culture circles, the act is viewed as one of betrayal.  I did not consider the full extent of this idea, however, until I read CP's midterm and was struck by the fact that native language serves a dual purpose for minority cultures.  Citing "Hunger of Memory," CP mentions Rodriguez's experience with the black teenagers using language "to unite them proudly." Within Rodriguez's family, CP again argues that the native language "was a way to keep cultural identity."   The student then adds that common language "also keep[s] others out," suggesting that native language serves as a gatekeeper protecting those within.  Understandably, when this gate has been opened, the protected ones not only feel betrayed by the one who "opens the door," but they also must cope with reduced stability and unknown fears:  "What will happen next?"  "Will we suffer cultural corruption?"  Indeed, the black teenagers enjoy familial unity in their street language; however, they are also comforted by its protection.  Similarly, Rodriguez's family members are ensured cultural security, that is, until he begins to speak English.  When this happens, as CP suggests, he not only betrays them by joining members on the outside, he also lets the outside in to invade his family.  Therefore, the extent of his speaking English has a twofold effect on his loved ones, and I would venture to say that the latter effect causes just as much apprehension as the former.        

2004:  LITR 5733--Midterm:

            In her midterm, AP's discusses the fact that when immigrants assimilate, "the extended family of the Old World country tends to fragment . . . into smaller groups until it is sometimes a person in solitude" and that "the modern society creates ever-smaller family units until one is left alone."  Since we have discussed this family-reduction pattern in class, I was able to relate to her comment.  As I continued to read, however, I was struck by her use of the phrase "falling in love."  Citing "The English Lesson" and  "Thank God for the Jews" AP goes on to explain that when immigrants "fall in love" with America's offerings, they fall out of love with each other and seek fulfillment in non-relational ways, such as economic or educational opportunity and independence.  The dominant culture models this behavior, of course, but we are also modeling a possible major breakdown in relationships as a whole.  Many years ago, we paid visits to each other in order to communicate and foster relationships; after a while, we began writing letters and making phone calls; then, we adopted email, and now, we use instant-messaging, text-messaging and have begun utilizing non-interactive methods such as Xanga and My Space.   Where will it end?  I'm afraid that AP is on to something.  If the dominant culture continues on this path of self-isolation, we may find that we have cheated ourselves and those for whom we model behavior out of valuable, intimate personal relationships.  

2006:  LITR 4333--Midterm:

            Having just completed research on Anzia Yezierksa, and having discovered that much of her autobiographical work contains more fiction than what readers have been lead to believe, I was captured by JC's essay.  Speaking of fiction/nonfiction distinctions in multicultural literature, this student introduces the idea of "hybrid" works in which the fiction narrative is "told with such a compelling voice that the story must be real."  As I began to think about the stories we have studied, I must admit I hadn't considered whether they were fact or fiction.  Perhaps, like Yezierska's works, many fall somewhere on a continuum between fact and fiction, and there exist more hybrid stories than what we realize.  Ultimately, however, the fiction/nonfiction distinctions may not matter as much as the "compelling voices."  Each narrative has a sense of realness, and each story, in its own way, embodies the poignancy of multicultural literature.

Web Review Wrap-Up

Conducting the web reviews has increased my understanding and appreciation of the works we've studied, and the experience has also prompted me to think differently about stories we'll next read in class as well as works I'll encounter in the future.  Reading other students' reactions to the course was like having extra classmates with whom to interact, and I was surprised to find myself learning things I'd never thought of in class.  I appreciate the opportunity to have participated in this learning experience, and I only hope that future students will learn just as much from me as I have learned from them.