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School of Letters Department of Humanities Literature Course English Linguistics & Literature Major Major (Credit 2) Intended Year: Intended School: |
American Literature (Seminar VI)
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Numbering Code: LET-HUM2588E Course Code: 2026 FallTerm weekly Thu3 Ito Classroom E/J科目 (日本語, English) |
| Course Overview |
Kate Chopin occupies a unique position in late 19th-century American literature. Known for her short stories like "Desiree's Baby" and her rich regionalist depictions, she demonstrated outstanding skill in portraying the human inner life unfettered by social conventions. Published in 1899, The Awakening is considered one of the pioneering masterpieces of modern American fiction and has exerted a profound influence on subsequent writers and literary history alike. In this seminar, we will closely read The Awakening to meticulously analyze Chopin's dense textual techniques and narrative structures. The course has two primary objectives. First, we will thoroughly engage in a close reading of the text, examining internal elements such as narrative discourse, symbolism, and lyrical style in detail. While Chopin's prose appears straightforward at first glance, it is filled with devices that subtly capture the minute psychological shifts and sensory transformations of the characters. Through careful reading, students will experience how the close analysis of a literary work yields rich discoveries. Second, we will attempt a reading from the perspective of feminist criticism. The struggles of the protagonist, Edna Pontellier, her self-awakening, and the image of a woman bound by domestic spaces and the myth of motherhood are deeply intertwined with the gender issues of late 19th-century American society. However, this seminar will not limit itself to a framework of "feminist political advocacy" regarding female oppression and the pursuit of agency. By exploring the sensuality evoked by natural descriptions, the radical loneliness surrounding existence itself, and the complex ambiguities embedded within the text, we aim to discover the literary richness that lies beyond such political binaries. |
| Last updated | : 2026/7/26 (15:04) |