memory, language, family

The Poetry of Li-Young Lee

Born Aug 19, 1957 in Jakarta, IndonesiaMaternal grandfather was China’s 1st republican presidentLee’s father was personal physician to Mao; exiled to Indonesia for anti-Communist views

1958 – Lee’s father imprisoned in Indonesia for pro-Western views; family escapes to Hong Kong

1964 – family immigrates for final time to U.S.Lee’s father abandons medical practice to become

Presbyterian minister1980s - began writing poetry while at U of Pittsburgh1986 – publication of Rose

Ethnic vs universal artist?

Li-Young Lee

Image concrete description that evokes an abstract concept. Ex: a dark night and death

Motif reoccurring object, concept, structure that suggests the theme of a literary work. Ex: the blank book in Oscar Wao

What seems to be the most significant image in “The Gift”? What idea is conveyed by that image? Why?

What is the significance of the persimmon in the second poem? What are the different ways it reoccurs and why?

Poetic Images & Motifs

Persimmons – motif that suggests how to create connections despite differences

Stanza 1 linguistic differenceStanza 2 cultural differenceStanza 3 physical intimacy overrides disconnection of languageStanzas 4-5

Mrs. Walker vs motherStanzas 6-end

persimmons as connection between father and son

“Persimmons”

“Eating Together” food connects family despite death

“I ask my mother to sing” song creates connection between first and second-generation

“Mnemonic”What is a mnemonic?What is the poem attempting to say about

memory?Accuracy vs Significance

memory, language, family

Stanza 1 settingStanzas 2-4 where is “here”?Stanzas 5-7 what is the “truth”?Stanzas 8-13 visions as truth; truth as

interpretation

Visions & Interpretations

Fri 5/4 – “When Mr. Pirzada Came to Dine”Mon 5/7 – “Interpreter of Maladies”Wed 5/9 – “Sexy”Fri 5/11 – “The Third and Final Continent”Mon 5/14 – Finals ReviewFri 5/18 – Final Exam, 11am-1pm

Cumulative, blue book, no notes, no booksPart 1: Short AnswerPart 2: Essay on Li-Young Lee and/or Jhumpa

Lahiri

Schedule