memory, language, family

Born Aug 19, 1957 in Jakarta, Indonesia Maternal grandfather was China’s 1 st republican president Lee’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 minister 1980s - began writing poetry while at U of Pittsburgh 1986 – publication of Rose Ethnic vs universal artist?

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?

Persimmons – motif that suggests how to create connections despite differences Stanza 1  linguistic difference Stanza 2  cultural difference Stanza 3  physical intimacy overrides disconnection of language Stanzas 4-5 Mrs. Walker vs mother Stanzas 6-end persimmons as connection between father and son

“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

Stanza 1  setting Stanzas 2-4  where is “here”? Stanzas 5-7  what is the “truth”? Stanzas 8-13  visions as truth; truth as interpretation

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 Review Fri 5/18 – Final Exam, 11am-1pm Cumulative, blue book, no notes, no books Part 1: Short Answer Part 2: Essay on Li-Young Lee and/or Jhumpa Lahiri