Analyzing Multicultural LiteratureAnalyzing Multicultural Literature

LIB 617 Readings and Research in Young LiteratureLIB 617 Readings and Research in Young Literature

Fall 2008Fall 2008

Why analyze literature?Why analyze literature?

To discover the full spectrumTo discover the full spectrum

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A little Newtonian physicsA little Newtonian physicsIsaac Newton first used the word first used the word

spectrum (spectrum (Latin for “appearance” or for “appearance” or “apparition”) in print in “apparition”) in print in 1671 in in describing his describing his experiments in in optics. . Newton observed that, when a narrow Newton observed that, when a narrow beam of white beam of white sunlight strikes the face of a strikes the face of a glass prism at an at an angle, some is , some is reflected and some of the beam passes into and and some of the beam passes into and through the glass, emerging through the glass, emerging as different colored bands. as different colored bands. – NationMaster Encyclopedia

> Visible light

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Spectrum requires a prismSpectrum requires a prism

Estonian composer Estonian composer Arvo Pärt:Arvo Pärt:– I could compare my music to

white light which contains all colours. Only a prism can divide the colours and make them appear; this prism could be the spirit of the listener.

• about his music: Alina 

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Prism as a filterPrism as a filter

Historian Doris Kearns Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin:Goodwin:– The biographer finds that the

past is not simply the past, but a prism through which the subject filters his own changing self-image.

• Goodwin, Doris Kearns (1979). ‘‘Angles of Vision’’, in: Mark Pachter (Ed.), Telling Lives: the biographer’s art. Washington, DC: New Republic Books. Cited in Debate and Reflection: How to Write Journalism History

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A prism to view the full spectrumA prism to view the full spectrum

PPersonalersonal

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RRealeal

IInventednvented

SMSMiley faceiley face

Two ContinuumsTwo Continuums

RealReal Invented Invented

PersonalPersonal SMiley Face SMiley Face

Put ‘em together! Put ‘em together!

Personal

SMiley

Real

Invented

Application to Literature???Application to Literature???

. . . and Dragons????. . . and Dragons????

Top Left Sector of MatrixTop Left Sector of Matrix1010

Up close and personal—and Up close and personal—and real!real!

Real

Personal

Folklore: Folklore is the body of expressive culture, including tales, music, dance, legends, oral history, proverbs, jokes, popular beliefs, customs, material culture, and so forth, common to a particular population, comprising the traditions (including oral traditions) of that culture, subculture, or group. (Wikipedia)

Invented

Dragons in folkloreDragons in folklore1111

St. George and the Dragon / / Egorii / Iurii / Georgii Egorii / Iurii / Georgii – Region: North Africa– Time Period: 3rd and 4th

Century AD– References in Literature:

The Faerie Queen by Edmund Spenser

– Sources: Everyone – He’s very popular

Dragons in FolkloreDragons in Folklore1212

– The oriental dragon is very different in appearance

to the Occidental dragon. The tales differ just as much. In China the dragon is a creature to be worshipped and respected. Although they can still be fierce, they are mainly called to for help in times of need, by the people of China. The Japanese dragons are very different in personality, sharing traits with the western dragons. However they are still known to be both benevolent on occasion and certainly respected by the Japanese people.

Dragons in Native American FolkloreDragons in Native American Folklore1313

– The Seven Headed Dragon – Ojibwa– Sacred Medicine Water – Caddo– The Chenoo, or the, story of a cannibal with an icy he

art -- A Passamaquoddy and Micmac Legend– Search the First People website for

other examples!

Bottom Left Sector of MatrixBottom Left Sector of Matrix1414

Invented, but Personal Invented, but Personal RealP

ersonal Invented

Quality literature, sometimes Quality literature, sometimes adaptations, or else original adaptations, or else original

writing, with universal appeal and writing, with universal appeal and meaning for everyman and meaning for everyman and

everywomaneverywoman

An invented dragon who is An invented dragon who is very personalvery personal

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Smaug– Smaug the Golden was the

greatest dragon of Middle-earth to survive into the Third Age. In the year 2770, he attacked the Lonely Mountain and drove the dwarves out, claiming their treasure as his own. Killing Smaug and reclaiming the treasure was the object of the quest in The Hobbit.

•

The Hobbit The Hobbit as a graphic novelas a graphic novel

Note on the Graphic Novel version:

– Though I called this a comic book in the summary, those words do not do justice to the gorgeous pictures that accompany Bilbo's tale in this version of The Hobbit. Comic size images of the scenes from Tolkien's classic accompany the abridged text and dialogue of the original. At the front is a map which can be used to follow the route taken by dwarves, hobbit and wizard.

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A Friendly Dragon (to some, at least!)A Friendly Dragon (to some, at least!)Temeraire

– His Majesty’s Dragon introduces this dragon in a world that is like ours, except that dragons are an integral part of history. We are in the midst of the Napoleonic Wars, and the British navy acquires a dragon egg from China that was meant for the Emperor. The newly hatched dragon develops a relationship with the captain of the British ship, and the rest is history—4 books worth!

– See the Temeraire wiki for more !April 9, 2023 Analyzing Multicultural Literature

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A Chinese realistic graphic novel seriesA Chinese realistic graphic novel series

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Crouching Tiger, Hidden DragonDragon– Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a

beautiful story filled to the brim with fast paced action, well-developed characters, trials of loyalty, deception, ambition and intrigue. Set against the gorgeous backdrop of Ancient China, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon takes the reader on an exciting allegory of epic proportions.

– The theatrical release of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was based on [the end of Book 4 of] the [5] novels by Wang Du Lu.

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Real Smileys!Real Smileys!

Top Right of the MatrixTop Right of the Matrix1919

Real

Recognizable stories, Recognizable stories, but unoriginal and but unoriginal and shallowshallow

DRAGON'S LAIR — The Comic Book Series!DRAGON'S LAIR — The Comic Book Series!2020

Dirk the Daring must rescue Dirk the Daring must rescue Princess Daphne from the Dragon Princess Daphne from the Dragon Singe!Singe!

– Swordplay, dragons, damsels in distress, sorcery, ghosts, and one very brave knight named Dirk the Daring fill the pages of this new ongoing series with adventure, thrills, and a pinch of humor. Creators Andy Mangels (best-selling Star Trek and Star Wars author) and artist Fabio Laguna are getting downright medieval on the story, opening the chronicles of Dirk's many adventures for fans to devour.

Invented smileys Invented smileys [perhaps contrived?][perhaps contrived?]

Bottom Right of the MatrixBottom Right of the Matrix2121

Invented

Generic, unoriginal, Generic, unoriginal, impersonal, shallowimpersonal, shallow

Indiana Jones to the rescue?Indiana Jones to the rescue?Indiana Jones and the Indiana Jones and the

Dragon of Vengeance Dragon of Vengeance – It’s time for you and Indiana Jones to find

THE DRAGON OF VENGEANCE.

– Indiana Jones is about to embark on his most dangerous adventure yet. To your great surprise, you realize that you are going with him to China to search for an ancient jade dragon with diamond eyes. You will be opposed by a violent secret society called The Golden Lotus, which wants the power of this precious relic for itself. You'll have other problems, too: hungry tigers, strange blood rituals, a gang of vicious thugs, even an earthquake! And remember: YOU are responsible for whatever happens, because YOU are going to make all the decisions—where to go, what to do, and how to handle it—as you FIND YOUR FATE.

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