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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