In his article, “Graphs, Maps, Trees,” Frank Moretti describes a new way to look at and analyze literature. He thoroughly describes that by looking at literature based on graphs, we can see how trends throughout history can define our understanding of literature. He looks at novel sales, genre popularities, and gender preferences throughout history and juxtaposes these results in various graphs.
By looking at literature in this way, we are able to see how events in history and cultural trends directly affect the power of literature throughout time. Moretti explains, “The novel has an uncertain relation to politics and social movements” (8). Although he describes this correlation as “uncertain,” there is a definite connection between literature and social events throughout time. This analyzing is able to allows us to understand literature and its purpose based on the social happenings of time.
However, this method of analyzing is also limited. Although it delves into the historical and social context of literature, it ignores the spiritual and intellectual purpose behind novels. It is a very factual and concrete way of looking at motives and purpose of literature. However, it does not look into the specificities of certain novels in order to analyze true meaning.
Another approach similar to Moretti’s is to analyze literature based on looking at the natural state of the earth. Looking back throughout history, a general observation could be made that earlier in time, when the earth was at a more natural state, there was a stronger connection between literature and nature. On the other hand, closer to times like today, literature becomes more distant and takes on a more cynical view towards the natural state of the earth.
For example, in looking at the novel, Super Sad True Love Story, by Gary Shteyngart, a much more cynical view can be seen towards the world and how human interaction takes place within the earth.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
M Butterfly
The film, “M Butterfly,” combines the topics of gender, ethnicity, politics, and the arts by demonstrating how these are all expected and accepted by society. Each topic holds certain expectations by society, and this film demonstrates what happens when these expectations aren’t followed or met.
The film shows the expectations for gender roles through Song Liling and Jeanne Gallimard. Acting as a Chinese woman, Song was expected to, as Gary Shteyngart would say, “protect the mystery,” especially from the white man. For Jeanne Gallimard, her absence in presence throughout the film demonstrated how she was expected to be at home. Instead of going to all the functions that Rene went to, besides the office party, Jeanne was absent from the music show and the Chinese opera. Another interesting example of how women are seen in society is demonstrated when Song says, “because men are the only ones who know how a woman should act.” This implies that the man controls the woman. Their actions are only accepted by the standards of men.
Different ethnicities have different connotations and expectations within society. This was most clearly seen when Song explains to Rene the difference between the two situations of “Madam Butterfly”. If the story had been between a white woman and an Asian man, people would feel differently and not find the story beautiful anymore. This demonstrates the supremacy of the white race in society. It shows that everything becomes circumstantial when it comes to race. This is also connected to politics within society. Because the white race is known as superior, it is natural for society to accept them as the main political force. This can be seen with the power that the French hold in Beijing.
In the film, the arts play a role in joining the two worlds of the French and the Chinese. “Madam Butterfly” had always been seen as a Western piece of art, but it affected Rene to see it in a different way when Song performed a scene from it. This new perspective acted as a way for a more in depth understanding of this particular piece of work.
The film shows the expectations for gender roles through Song Liling and Jeanne Gallimard. Acting as a Chinese woman, Song was expected to, as Gary Shteyngart would say, “protect the mystery,” especially from the white man. For Jeanne Gallimard, her absence in presence throughout the film demonstrated how she was expected to be at home. Instead of going to all the functions that Rene went to, besides the office party, Jeanne was absent from the music show and the Chinese opera. Another interesting example of how women are seen in society is demonstrated when Song says, “because men are the only ones who know how a woman should act.” This implies that the man controls the woman. Their actions are only accepted by the standards of men.
Different ethnicities have different connotations and expectations within society. This was most clearly seen when Song explains to Rene the difference between the two situations of “Madam Butterfly”. If the story had been between a white woman and an Asian man, people would feel differently and not find the story beautiful anymore. This demonstrates the supremacy of the white race in society. It shows that everything becomes circumstantial when it comes to race. This is also connected to politics within society. Because the white race is known as superior, it is natural for society to accept them as the main political force. This can be seen with the power that the French hold in Beijing.
In the film, the arts play a role in joining the two worlds of the French and the Chinese. “Madam Butterfly” had always been seen as a Western piece of art, but it affected Rene to see it in a different way when Song performed a scene from it. This new perspective acted as a way for a more in depth understanding of this particular piece of work.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Consumer Culture
One of the main themes in Gary Shteyngart’s novel, Super Sad True Love Story, is the exaggeration of consumer culture and how its identity is being completely reshaped as time continues to progress. The idea that as a society, Americans are going down a path of superficial consumerism and economic downfall is a point Shteyngart continues to stress throughout the novel.
For example, when Eunice is GlobalTeening with her friend, she says, “And then he dresses awful…but next week we’re going shopping for stuff actually made out of ANIMAL PRODUCTS like cotton and wool and ca$hmere and all that good stuff” (p. 113). Eunice describes Lenny’s style as “old-school hipster from the 70s” and that it is awful. This demonstrates how important clothing and exterior image is within society. The identity of a person is mostly shown through what they wear. The “good” stuff that Eunice values and wishes to see Lenny wear, such as “ca$hmere,” basically screams consumerism. With the dollar sign as a substitute for the letter s only proves that this new change of consumer identity has a direct relation to the economic crisis that America is facing in the novel.
Another excerpt that highlights on this idea states, “ ‘I think she shops…So fucking racist” (p. 162-163). Here, we see another relationship between consumerism and the economy. The idea that the “ant” saves too much and therefore the government is encouraging them to spend shows a new identity forming amongst the public. People no longer have the freedom to spend and save as they choose without the government telling them what to do with their money. It almost seems as if the free nation of America is turning into the communistic system of Russia or China.
Lastly, the novel states from Eunice Park’s point of view, “So I had lunch and went Real Time Shopping with Sally…” (p. 145). This shows a completely new identity for consuming. “Real Time Shopping” is known for actively going out and shopping, rather than just doing so from a handy apparat. This shows how shopping doesn’t even require moving anymore, and that it is a rare occasion when someone actually performs the act of shopping. This stands out because our world today is on this track and it can be seen. Online shopping and Netflix make it so easy to just sit on our butts all day without getting up.
For example, when Eunice is GlobalTeening with her friend, she says, “And then he dresses awful…but next week we’re going shopping for stuff actually made out of ANIMAL PRODUCTS like cotton and wool and ca$hmere and all that good stuff” (p. 113). Eunice describes Lenny’s style as “old-school hipster from the 70s” and that it is awful. This demonstrates how important clothing and exterior image is within society. The identity of a person is mostly shown through what they wear. The “good” stuff that Eunice values and wishes to see Lenny wear, such as “ca$hmere,” basically screams consumerism. With the dollar sign as a substitute for the letter s only proves that this new change of consumer identity has a direct relation to the economic crisis that America is facing in the novel.
Another excerpt that highlights on this idea states, “ ‘I think she shops…So fucking racist” (p. 162-163). Here, we see another relationship between consumerism and the economy. The idea that the “ant” saves too much and therefore the government is encouraging them to spend shows a new identity forming amongst the public. People no longer have the freedom to spend and save as they choose without the government telling them what to do with their money. It almost seems as if the free nation of America is turning into the communistic system of Russia or China.
Lastly, the novel states from Eunice Park’s point of view, “So I had lunch and went Real Time Shopping with Sally…” (p. 145). This shows a completely new identity for consuming. “Real Time Shopping” is known for actively going out and shopping, rather than just doing so from a handy apparat. This shows how shopping doesn’t even require moving anymore, and that it is a rare occasion when someone actually performs the act of shopping. This stands out because our world today is on this track and it can be seen. Online shopping and Netflix make it so easy to just sit on our butts all day without getting up.
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