1. Lived City (3): Love and Desire on Cities‘ Margins “I’m Running for my Life” and “Blossom” “I’m Running for my Life” and “Blossom”

2. Outline Starting Questions Starting Questions Exotica: Exotica: General intro and comparison with Vive l’amour General intro and comparison with Vive l’amour Margins and Minorities Margins and Minorities Exotica: the Site and the Sight; Exotica: the Site and the Sight; Betrayal vs. Ritual/Contract for Self-Therapy; Betrayal vs. Ritual/Contract for Self-Therapy; The Caribbeans in Toronto The Caribbeans in Toronto “I’m Running for my Life” “I’m Running for my Life” “Blossom” “Blossom”

3. Caribbean Immigrants in Canada: Background (1) Early Immigrants: student and (female) domestic help e.g. A. Clarke and May in “Running for my Life” Early Immigrants: student and (female) domestic help e.g. A. Clarke and May in “Running for my Life” Three factors of changes in the 60’s Three factors of changes in the 60’s Canadian immigration laws Canadian immigration laws Great Britain was closing its doors; deterioration of racial relationships there Great Britain was closing its doors; deterioration of racial relationships there the steady decline of the British economy the steady decline of the British economy

4. Caribbean Immigrants in Canada: Background (2) --Toronto Ideal of multiculturalism vs. reality of racism Ideal of multiculturalism vs. reality of racism Ethnic Areas in Toronto City: Bloor Street, Little Italy, Chinatown, Cabbagetown, etc. (see map) Ethnic Areas in Toronto City: Bloor Street, Little Italy, Chinatown, Cabbagetown, etc. (see map)map differential incorporation; e.g. housing, salary (83% of Caribbeans’ yearly income falls under 25,000) differential incorporation; e.g. housing, salary (83% of Caribbeans’ yearly income falls under 25,000) direct racism: e.g. police brutality (e.g. Mr. Johnson in “Running” 78) direct racism: e.g. police brutality (e.g. Mr. Johnson in “Running” 78)

5. Downtown Toronto

6. East End -- the Don Valley Parkway –the route the commuters take to go downtown. “Few find any reason to stop in the east end, one of the poorest neighborhoods in the city.” the Don Valley Parkway –the route the commuters take to go downtown. “Few find any reason to stop in the east end, one of the poorest neighborhoods in the city.” To the north is Regent Park. In the 1940's, blocks of poorly maintained houses were demolished and replaced by Canada's first major public housing project. Although it was much praised on its completion in 1957, it quickly went downhill, and now 72% of the residents live below the poverty line. (source: http://www.boldts.net/TorZ.shtml ) To the north is Regent Park. In the 1940's, blocks of poorly maintained houses were demolished and replaced by Canada's first major public housing project. Although it was much praised on its completion in 1957, it quickly went downhill, and now 72% of the residents live below the poverty line. (source: http://www.boldts.net/TorZ.shtml ) http://www.boldts.net/TorZ.shtml

7. Caribbean Immigrants in Canada (3) : Multiple Voices House party (fete) and Caribana House party (fete) and Caribana As means of strengthening a sense of community; As means of strengthening a sense of community; the venues for illegal activities the venues for illegal activities Multiculturalism Multiculturalism Brand against it: 布松達認為多元文化政策造成 「一種加拿大式的、溫和的、文化種族隔離政策」 (Hutcheon 315); 布蘭德也認為它將加勒比海裔分隔 開來，「沒有處理真正的〔政治、經濟上〕的權力 問題」 (Hutcheon 274) 。 Brand against it: 布松達認為多元文化政策造成 「一種加拿大式的、溫和的、文化種族隔離政策」 (Hutcheon 315); 布蘭德也認為它將加勒比海裔分隔 開來，「沒有處理真正的〔政治、經濟上〕的權力 問題」 (Hutcheon 274) 。 Austin Clarke thinks that the immigrants are partly responsible for their failures. Austin Clarke thinks that the immigrants are partly responsible for their failures.

8. The Two Stories How are they different from each other? How are they different from each other? Do we find similar cases of both in Taiwan? Do we find similar cases of both in Taiwan?

9. Austin Clarke Born in Barbados in 1934 and came to Canada to attend university in 1955. He has had a varied and distinguished career as a broadcaster, civil rights leader, and professor. Born in Barbados in 1934 and came to Canada to attend university in 1955. He has had a varied and distinguished career as a broadcaster, civil rights leader, and professor. Clarkes has dealt extensively with the lack of roots and ruins in the lives of immigrants in Canada, and the consequent damage to the psychological and emotional health of these men and women. (Harney 131) Clarkes has dealt extensively with the lack of roots and ruins in the lives of immigrants in Canada, and the consequent damage to the psychological and emotional health of these men and women. (Harney 131)

10. "I'm Running for My Life" What kind of domestic maid is May? What does she do at the beginning of the story? What is she afraid of? (e.g. p. 81) What kind of domestic maid is May? What does she do at the beginning of the story? What is she afraid of? (e.g. p. 81) Towards the end of the story, May goes tearfully to her friend Gertrude to confess her "sin," about which she feels both scared and good. Gertrude, on the other hand, claims that it is a sexual assault that May experiences. What do you think? What do you think Clarke wants to convey here? Towards the end of the story, May goes tearfully to her friend Gertrude to confess her "sin," about which she feels both scared and good. Gertrude, on the other hand, claims that it is a sexual assault that May experiences. What do you think? What do you think Clarke wants to convey here?

11. Two Interpretations May's explanation: pp. 88-89 --adultery; newness and love in her. the thought of murder the night before (p. 92); Indian blanket 92; 82-83 May's explanation: pp. 88-89 --adultery; newness and love in her. the thought of murder the night before (p. 92); Indian blanket 92; 82-83 Gertrude's responses -- concern for her own work; 94; master and slave 95 Gertrude's responses -- concern for her own work; 94; master and slave 95

12. May's contradictory feelings toward her master Why does she feel guilty in the bedroom: Covetousness? Theft? Dishonoring? Why does she feel guilty in the bedroom: Covetousness? Theft? Dishonoring? Christian way of thinking Christian way of thinking trying on the mistress’ dresses and pantyhose p. 77 trying on the mistress’ dresses and pantyhose p. 77 Answering a phone call Answering a phone call Curious about the book, The Joy of Sex Curious about the book, The Joy of Sex Fear of the house: its emptiness and coldness, like a tomb; a presence Fear of the house: its emptiness and coldness, like a tomb; a presence Loyalty, pity and sympathy for the man Loyalty, pity and sympathy for the man Desire for him & feeling desired pp. 79; 80 Desire for him & feeling desired pp. 79; 80

13. Mr. Moore’s Views of May appreciative of her, but neglectful p. 80-81; appreciative of her, but neglectful p. 80-81; sexual desire for a colored woman 86 sexual desire for a colored woman 86 sense of deficiency p. 87  need re- invigoration sense of deficiency p. 87  need re- invigoration

14. Contrast between May and Gertrude May– weak in need of help; relies on external supports such as frying pan and house slipper; May– weak in need of help; relies on external supports such as frying pan and house slipper; Gertrude – jumps into conclusion. But is she totally wrong? Gertrude – jumps into conclusion. But is she totally wrong?

15. Ironies Mr. Moore, Mr. Moore, too weak, too invigorated; peace, wanting to die too weak, too invigorated; peace, wanting to die the words “Confidential” “Pictures” “Photos” “Term Papers”  signs of memory and power the words “Confidential” “Pictures” “Photos” “Term Papers”  signs of memory and power May: tears p. 96  a controlled woman unable to see her submission to power or her own power. May: tears p. 96  a controlled woman unable to see her submission to power or her own power.

16. Dionne Brand 布蘭德自稱為是非精英份子 (non-elite) ，女同 性戀者和馬克斯主義者 布蘭德自稱為是非精英份子 (non-elite) ，女同 性戀者和馬克斯主義者 布蘭德自稱「逃離」家鄉的，因為 當時在千里達她身為一個女孩很受 限制 ( 所以她也是逃離 femininity ﹔ Silvera 361-63) 。但對她而言，她 既不住在「那裡」 ( 千里達 ) ，也不住 在這裡 ( 加拿大 ) ，而是在兩者之中 (Birbalsingh 1996: 122) 。

17. Dionne Brand

18. Biographical Sketch --fyi 1953 Born in Trinidad 1953 Born in Trinidad 1970 immigrated to Canada 1970 immigrated to Canada 1970s-80s community worker in Toronto 1970s-80s community worker in Toronto 1983 Information Officer for the Caribbean People’s Development Agencies and the Agency for Rural Transformation in Grenada 1983 Information Officer for the Caribbean People’s Development Agencies and the Agency for Rural Transformation in Grenada 1997 won the Governor General’s Award for Poetry and the Trillium Award for Land to Light On 1997 won the Governor General’s Award for Poetry and the Trillium Award for Land to Light On A communist who believes in equal distribution of wealth and ending exploitation A communist who believes in equal distribution of wealth and ending exploitation Founded and edited Our Lives, Canada’s first black women’s newspaper Founded and edited Our Lives, Canada’s first black women’s newspaper

19. Brand--Writer and Filmmaker A few examples: A few examples: Sans Souci and other Stories (1988) Sans Souci and other Stories (1988) No Language is Neutral (1990) No Language is Neutral (1990) Sisters in Struggle (1991)--film Sisters in Struggle (1991)--film Long Time Comin' (1993)—film Long Time Comin' (1993)—film Listening for Something (1996)--film Listening for Something (1996)--film In Another Place, Not Here (1997)--novel In Another Place, Not Here (1997)--novel Land To Light On (1997) Land To Light On (1997) At the Full and Change of the Moon--novel At the Full and Change of the Moon--novel

20. Oya—Goddess of Thunder and Cemetery

21. “Oya is the divinity that guards the cemetery. More specifically she protects the souls of the departed as they journey onward. Oya is viewed as a warrior with great strength. She stands well on her own, but is usually in the company of her counterpart Shango. Oya is also recognized for her psychic abilities which manifest in the winds. She is the deity of the storm and hurricanes. Oya is often seen as the deity of death, but upon deeper realization, she is the deity of rebirth as things must die so that new beginnings arise.” (27) Baba Ifa Karade, The Handbook of Yoruba Religious Concepts Baba Ifa Karade, The Handbook of Yoruba Religious Concepts

22. “Blossom” Do you find the story fantastic or unreal? If so, why? Are the characters believable or stereoptyed? Why does Blossom marry Victor? Why does Brand invoke the Yoruba orisha Oya in “Blossom”? Are there any similar attributes between Oya and Blossom? ? (p. p. 269) What is the significance of Blossom’s dream of fighting with suffering? (p. p. 269)

23. Brand and Black Tradition Brand writing for the absence (of writings about black people)—conscious efforts to create a black diasporic tradition + “the new wave of Canadian writing” (270) Brand writing for the absence (of writings about black people)—conscious efforts to create a black diasporic tradition + “the new wave of Canadian writing” (270)

24. The Origin of “Blossom” Interview with Frank Birbalsingh “That story is based on fact: I met this woman running a basement speakeasy in her house, and she had run the speakeasy for years and years. She was a Jamaican woman without a single tooth in the front of her mouth, and she would throw people out who were drunk. Also one day I saw an old man xeroxing something. I thought I'd read over his shoulder and it was all these little potions he was preparing for people. He was an obeah man and that was obeah gone modern tech. It's interesting how our people could come here and adapt things that used to work for them somewhere else so that they work for them here too.” Interview with Frank Birbalsingh

25. Blossom and Afircanism Going back to the African past for strength— “She had to dig into that past of hers which she retained; she became an Obeah woman because that was one the things that black people in the Americas managed to retain, some sense of a past that is not a past controlled by those things that seem to control her now.” (273) Oral style in “Blossom”

26. Blossom the Woman Warrior Blossom’s “buoyancy” and her language (276) Fighting against white racism (264)—sexual assault from the white master and the distrust of the white mistress—picketed against the white oppression—slogans from the black power movement (264)

27. Blossom and Gender Issue Not only criticizing (white) men—closeness to girl friends but gets cheated by Fancy Girl (the pyramid scheme) Once deserted by a man (263) ) Loneliness, hard work—resigning to traditional thinking about love relationship (267) resignation—but takes initiative in choosing her man—decide to take Victor--later fighting against Victor’s exploitation (265-6 )

28. Blossom’s Fight with Suffering Personification and allegory (269)—a battle with oppression, against black suffering—fighting with “hate” and triumphs Death and rebirth—getting into Oya’s womb—dance of “Freeness” Blossom becomes Oya’s priestess and speaks in tongues