Looking at the book “Passing” and discussing other book from this assignment, the whole idea of canonical literature has become a little more clear to me. Although we have been beaten over the head with said topic, it was unclear to me, not being of the well read type. Overall, this group project was very appropriate for the assignment. Had we been given this as an individual project, yes it would have got done, however I am sure no one would have been happy about it.
What exactly did I take away from this? Well, I think it has been made abundantly clear that the difference between the canon then and the canon now is obvious. Life in both canons does not seem so glamourous, however the transition from a more male dominated world to a little less dominated male world is approaching. Not to mention that the pervious works we had read were all written by men and a lot of the books we are going to read and have just started to read are written by women.
Although many themes in both the “old and new” canon are similar such as, oh I don’t know death, loving and losing, racism, and seperation by status. I am sure it will become much more clear to us how the two canons are different. Can’t wait.
So, to read the other novels or not to read the other novels. Well, since everyone seems to think I should read the short stories, I’ll consider it. Lovecraft… not so much. I am not into the science fiction thing. Still a little fuzzy on how this one fits into the canon, but I am getting there. The more it is laid out every so bluntly (cough cough), the more I get it. I propose a little exchange… I’ll read the Lovecraft novel, if someone from that group will read Passing, and takers?
March 15, 2007 at 3:58 pm
I agree with you Amanda, in that reading these books that are not included in the canon helped to see the difference. And yes, a lot of the same themes were carried out throughout both the canonical and non-canonical books, however I can see why they are not included. The short stories were alright; I wouldn’t say they’re a must read though.
March 17, 2007 at 12:32 am
Amanda, I agree with a lot of what you said in your post. First of all, I was in the Lovecraft group and I support your decision in not wanting to ready that book. It was entirely a science fiction book, therefore I found it to be a very difficult read.
I also really liked what you said about the idea of a glamorous life when discussing the canon and things not included in the canon. They both share the idea that life is more likely than not, less than perfect. Also, your comparison of men in women seems to be true. That of which most of the books are written by males, and they seem to be male dominated.
March 26, 2007 at 4:26 pm
I would also have to agree with you Amanda Lea in that this project helped to point out the differences and similarties of the canonical and non-canonical books. It showed that even though a book might not be included in a canon it still may have a lot of the same themes as one in the canon. I was in the Parker group and the short stories weren’t that bad honestly, my problem is that i’m not a big reading person so really I had no drive to read short stories that i had no intrest in but o well.