Interrogating Social Systems
Everyone's the Same
Coming to Voice
Individuals within Systems
100
Why were people afraid during the 20th century to express their own thoughts and sexual feelings?
Fear of alienation Homosexuality was a crime
100
What type of culture did post-war America create?
Consumer culture
100
In regards to coming to voice, what are the art forms used in Hisaye Yamamoto’s “Seventeen Syllables” and James Baldwin’s “Sonny’s Blues”?
Haiku and Blues Music
100
How does society view the American Hobo?
As a rapist, dangerous, lazy, and unmotivated.
200
Race never seemed to be an issue between Twyla and Roberta when they were younger. Give a reasonable argument as to why this changed as time went on.
The older someone becomes, the more they are shaped by culture. Their behavior reproduces systems of racism.
200
What were some of the expectations of American society that emerged from consumer culture and mass production?
Women would be domesticated and clean and cook. Caught up with latest appliances. To be American is to buy into media
200
What movement during the 1950s challenged the conventions of American culture through new forms of literature and artistic expression?
The Beat Generation
200
What were some of hardships illustrated in Yamamoto's "Seventeen Syllables?"
Living in a white and male dominated society Forced into marriage Lack of freedom
300
Living in an Ina community, what are some issues that may arise between members?
Jealousy Learning to accept and embrace new lifestyles Race integration
300
What does it mean to live along the margins?
Living outside social norms poverty, racial differences, gender inequality
300
Name any 3 issues of that women faced during the 20th century.
Right to Vote Right to organize as workers Reproductive Rights
300
In Paley's "The Expensive Moment" what commonality brought Faith, Ruthie, and Xie Feng together?
The question of whether or not they did a good job in preparing their children for the expensive moment.
400
Alienation is a central conflict addressed by all of these literary figures. Give 2 examples of alienation in any of the recent works and describe its impact on the character it affects.
Shori is alienated by the Silks and Katharine Dalhman and seen as non-Ina. The vanishing hobo is alienated by society and as a result is devalued as a person. Twyla is treated like an outsider by Roberta and is left wondering what became of their friendship.
400
Although Shori is of Ina descent, why does Milo Silk detest her so much? Why is he trying to kill her?
He thinks she is a disgrace to the Ina community for having human genetics. He cannot accept the change. Even though human genetics can give Ina the ability to stay awake during the day, he tries to preserve what it means to be truly Ina. No matter the costs.
400
How does Tome Hayashi of "Seventeen Syllables" compare to Sonny of "Sonny's Blues?"
They both are suffering from lack of freedom and are victims of structures of privilege. They both achieve their coming to voice through artistic expression.
400
What is mutual symbiosis? What type of community does it create?
Mutual symbiosis is the unique bond between Ina and human, in which both species are dependent on another. It creates/rewrites a beloved community by reducing diversity. However, mutual symbiosis doesn't change and structures within the system.
500
How did Toni Morrison’s “Recitatif” explore Literary Experimentation for Social Change?
“Recitatif” was an experiment in the removal of all racial codes from a narrative about two characters of different race for which racial identity is crucial.
500
In regards to the idea of conformity, the speaker is in the supermarket and sees everything but feels lost. What is he searching for?
The speaker is searching for more options/individuality.
500
How does the narrator in "Sonny's Blues" finally come to understand Sonny's struggle and sympathize for him?
He hears Sonny play blues music at the end of the story. He feels a sense of freedom from this artistic expression.
500
Throughout Butler's Fledgling, Shori experiences hunger. Other than her longing to feed, what are 2 other things Shori hungers for?
Belonging Finding out her past
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