Key question : Do Arts and literature have the power to make taboos go mainstream ?
Out of the Closet
'The novel Maurice by EM Forster is regarded as one of the first gay novel . It was written in 1910-13 but only published in 1971, after his death .
Read Forster's biography www.bl.uk/people/e-m-forster before studying the document opposite . Why in your opinion was he reluctant to have the novel published in his lifetime ?
Read Forster's biography www.bl.uk/people/e-m-forster before studying the document opposite . Why in your opinion was he reluctant to have the novel published in his lifetime ?
Now read the synopsis published on the British Library website before turning to the text .
To what extent does the extract echo Forster's uneasiness? Maurice was published in 1971, a year after E M Forster’s death. Forster began writing his ‘gay novel’ following a visit to fellow writer and homosexual, Edward Carpenter and his younger, working-class partner, George Merrill. Forster had already published four novels to great critical and popular acclaim, but privately professed himself weary of writing about ‘the only subject I can and may treat’ – heterosexual love. Holding Carpenter’s uninhibited attitude towards being gay in saviour-like reverie, he was inspired by this visit to write about the subject closer to his own heart. Forster wrote and rewrote Maurice between 1913 and the 1960s, showing it only to select friends. Growing up in the long shadow cast by Oscar Wilde’s imprisonment, and in a society where homosexuality remained illegal until 1967, Forster was adamant that this novel could and would not be published during his lifetime. The novel was, in part, wish fulfilment for him, and it was crucial, therefore, that it should have a happy ending. It was this happy ending, however, that precluded him from publishing it. To condemn Maurice and Alec’s love would have resolved the novel in a way that suited society; to celebrate it, however, rendered it taboo. |
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Read the extract above . (the scene takes place right after Clive realized he felt attracted to Maurice's sister and decided to take distance from Maurice , who , in turn , vented his frustration and anger on Ada.)
- Determine the narrative point of view and the focalization and comment on the choice of the author.
- Jot down the expressions describing Maurice : which aspect of his personality are highlighted ? Does Forster give a flattering image of the eponymous hero ? Why ?in your opinion?
- In The History of Sexuality (1976),the philosopher and historian Michel Foucault states that until the 19th century, homosexuality in Europe was understood in terms of acts rather than types of persons. That is, men did engage same-sex erotic relationships, forbidden by the Church, but people did not consider themselves as either homosexual or heterosexual. This view changed, according to Foucault, when legal, scientific, and medical texts began describing homosexuals. To what extent does this analysis apply to Maurice ? Justify your answer by precise quotes from the text .
- "Life's but a damn poor show" : show that Maurice pretends all the time and find the reason(s) why he feels compelled to.
- Death isone of the prevailing lexical fields. Jot down all the words related to it . Why , in your opinion , is Maurice haunted by death ?
Read the timeline above carefully www.onearchives.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/timeline-pg-1-FINAL.jpg. Then use the data to explain which evolution in American society as well as the information provided on each artist to explain what must have inspired their artworks and the message they send
“Is not the effort made by these ‘Transvestites’ to show themselves in a triumphant-looking mood suffused with wishful thinking and touching humanity? But beyond this effort they do not go. Naturally, the ‘Different’ in its permissive New York ghetto can triumph provided it does not go outside a behaviour by which it can be recognized and tolerated the feminine arrogance of these males is merely the grimace of the victim who wants to soften the slaughterer’s heart with a clownish regal dignity. And it’s this wry smile which makes the Transvestites all the same, like Byzantine dignitaries in a star-spangled apse.”
(An excerpt from Pasolini’s Andy Warhol’s Ladies and Gentlemen in “Andy Warhol: Ladies and Gentlemen” monograph.)
Take a walk on the wild side
Walk on the Wild Side was Lou Reed's ( see bio:drive.google.com/file/d/154WLhtXUBOTT4ZRMF-UK0al9lpycQ41G/view?usp=sharing) greatest hit . How do you understand the title of the song ? And the title of the album ( Transformer) ?
- Have a look at the back cover of the album and listen to the song to check your answer(s) . drive.google.com/file/d/1F6xSJpxOMQYuma_YRWlT7iJW665t6x_g/view?usp=sharing
- Then play the video underneath to fully grasp the meaning of the song . drive.google.com/file/d/1skI1MUIkR71p7dtc583Pfwkj1B2jxRHQ/view?usp=sharing
- How can you account for its success ?drive.google.com/file/d/17igfLjUZLIPG5xmoSJ2S8a-T8EzxXnW0/view?usp=sharing
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Lou Reed’s friends dismiss claim that Walk on the Wild Side is transphobic
www.theguardian.com/music/2017/may/20/lou-reed-walk-wild-side-transphobic-lyrics-canada
www.theguardian.com/music/2017/may/20/lou-reed-walk-wild-side-transphobic-lyrics-canada
Transformer was produced by David Bowie & Mick Ronson.
- Watch the video underneath and compare Lady Stardust to Walk on the Wild Side.
- drive.google.com/file/d/13x4ty5PRghJk6-NDpbefKbGwHvkWpQOy/view?usp=sharing
- How do you understand the title ? What is the song about ?
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Turn to the Guardian article . How did literature help Armistead Maupin coming out ?
Was his experience similar to E.M. Forster ? Explain. |
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Challenging the Establishment |
The origins of Punk Rock
“It’s a call to arms to the kids who believe that rock and roll was taken away from them. It’s a statement of self rule, of ultimate independence.” — Malcolm McLaren, manager of the Sex Pistols
Listen to Graham Parker's interview : drive.google.com/file/d/1LrdKtOYaOkyacA06VeRgeCpSTcGuQ7-c/view?usp=sharing
& read the articles below .
& read the articles below .
- Determine the social context : What was the outlook in Britain in the late 1970s? In which terms is the general situation described ? What do you imagine the situation of young people in particular in this period would have been?
- Explain how people voiced their discontent : Why might young people turn to music to express themselves in this type of situation? What was their message? How would their music sound like ? Was the movement only limited to music ?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2601493.stm
https://www.liveabout.com/timeline-of-punk-music-history-2803347
https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/vivw/hd_vivw.htm
https://www.liveabout.com/timeline-of-punk-music-history-2803347
https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/vivw/hd_vivw.htm
Rebellion
Sex Pistols drive.google.com/file/d/1SOp3Q0WQEUTdXThHfhc_3iNNBFOeB7UD/view?usp=sharing
The Ramones drive.google.com/file/d/14eHdk_Fr02oT2lTw9O3zZN_HbzZQIuN6/view?usp=sharing
Keith Richards interview : drive.google.com/file/d/1mLJLSPTEadmElXR7sY1Co3izGuDv07io/view?usp=sharing
Patti Smith : drive.google.com/file/d/1tuQNxX4Rzyhcn3WP4RH_V1wYioisOgDt/view?usp=sharing
The Ramones drive.google.com/file/d/14eHdk_Fr02oT2lTw9O3zZN_HbzZQIuN6/view?usp=sharing
Keith Richards interview : drive.google.com/file/d/1mLJLSPTEadmElXR7sY1Co3izGuDv07io/view?usp=sharing
Patti Smith : drive.google.com/file/d/1tuQNxX4Rzyhcn3WP4RH_V1wYioisOgDt/view?usp=sharing
- Two of the three videos above are discussing Punk Rock . Watch them . Present the bands briefly . Comment on their attitudes and list the reasons they give to play Punk Rock .
- Then listen to Keith Richards from The Rolling Stones: does he seem enthusiastic about this new movement ? Explain.
- Afterwards, consider the two album covers below.
- Why do you think the Clash decided to use this idea for their 1979 album London Calling? What message do you think they were trying to convey about their music? About how they saw themselves fitting in to the history of Rock and Roll?
“That’s a very, very great place to be as an artist, when your imagination is your only limitation. It’s not your ability to play like a virtuoso, it’s not your ability to have your family pay for piano lessons when you’re a child, or to have a well-trained voice or to have gone to creative writing classes. Punk Rock was about three chords, four if you were lucky, five if you were decadent — and having something to say.”— U2’s Bono on the influence of Punk Rock
Music is usually associated with the notion of virtuosity ( = having great technical skill.)
#2drive.google.com/file/d/1cZmxOnuty51CvQKX3624V_o5XZgslnUY/view?usp=sharing
#3drive.google.com/file/d/1g0dl-Z07pvtMsq-Yua6NOTl1Vm6-Rkxf/view?usp=sharing
#4drive.google.com/file/d/1cRE8pbZi8y-SR7Bw8uWAFNP00EK_2-GU/view?usp=sharing
#5drive.google.com/file/d/1JF0bbGw7JS6fJiw-qBuqKShd-TkeZ9UF/view?usp=sharing
- According to the interview with Bono , what was Punk Rock’s attitude toward virtuosity? Does he believe you need to be a virtuoso to make Rock and Roll?
- drive.google.com/file/d/1SjdrfxyhHKLfGiOoUzTnLhVtTJ4PTP8I/view?usp=sharing
- Watch the videos underneath ( Garageband + Nutrocker + Pretty Vacant+ Sheena is a Punk Rocker+ Redondo Beach ) : Which band would you label as punk ? Why? Did virtuosity really mattered for these groups ( justify) . Comment on the band's interaction with the public and their attitude on stage.
#2drive.google.com/file/d/1cZmxOnuty51CvQKX3624V_o5XZgslnUY/view?usp=sharing
#3drive.google.com/file/d/1g0dl-Z07pvtMsq-Yua6NOTl1Vm6-Rkxf/view?usp=sharing
#4drive.google.com/file/d/1cRE8pbZi8y-SR7Bw8uWAFNP00EK_2-GU/view?usp=sharing
#5drive.google.com/file/d/1JF0bbGw7JS6fJiw-qBuqKShd-TkeZ9UF/view?usp=sharing
• Which covers seem to better represent the idea of virtuosity? The idea of “DIY”? Why?
• What message do you think the Sex Pistols and the Clash were trying to convey with these album covers? (Note: “Bollocks” is British slang with multiple meanings, but is generally taken to mean “nonsense” or “rubbish.”) Did they make them because they couldn’t afford professional artists to design their covers? What other reasons might there be? • Which album cover do you find most appealing, and why? |
- Watch the two videos below and read the lyrics . Explain why these two songs caused fierce controversy and shocked public opinion.
- drive.google.com/file/d/1x2mfeuG1eJ5UgYjECAYLn6e087qt7prW/view?usp=sharing
- drive.google.com/file/d/1OF1g1IaOfSRKjfxxJongaf6L2ePYm84-/view?usp=sharing
477570938-the-god-save-the-queen.pdf | |
File Size: | 40 kb |
File Type: |
- Read the articles below and discuss with your classmates whether Punk Rock can still be considered a form of protest music.
drive.google.com/file/d/1uJ2FW_CK7EHPLZaXWA9vCaUOzd7RiNF6/view?usp=sharing
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/mar/13/punk-1976-1978-british-library-40th-anniversary-sex-pistols-buzzcocks
https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/vivienne-westwood-punk-new-romantic-and-beyond
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/apr/08/petridis-mclaren-punk
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/mar/13/punk-1976-1978-british-library-40th-anniversary-sex-pistols-buzzcocks
https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/vivienne-westwood-punk-new-romantic-and-beyond
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/apr/08/petridis-mclaren-punk
Task : create an original album cover for a fictitious British Punk band of the 1970s.
Guidelines for Designing Your Album Cover:
- Think about what you have learned about what Punk was reacting to, both musically and historically, and what Punk Rockers were trying to say. How would you represent that visually? How can you visually represent a musical subculture? How can you represent your band in a way that is true to the Punk image and ideals?
- Give your band a name. Think about how the name might represent the ideas expressed in Punk.
- Give your album a name.
- Is advertising and promoting a band consistent with the ideas of Punk? After all, don’t you want people to buy your album? Can you think of some ways to represent your band as part of the reaction to the commercial elements of Stadium Rock?
Censored !
“The people shall not be deprived or abridged of their right to speak, to write, or to publish their sentiments.”
( extract from the First Amendment to the US Constitution)
Banned Books Week annually celebrates the freedom to read. Highlighting the value of free and open access to information, Banned Books Week brings together librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types in shared support of the freedom to seek, to publish, to read, and to express ideas.
Source : https://www.nypl.org/
Source : https://www.nypl.org/
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In groups, study the texts below as well as the documents attached.
Present your extract to the class and explain why these books are or were banned. Don't forget to select a short passage you find emblematic/ relevant to read out aloud to the class.
Present your extract to the class and explain why these books are or were banned. Don't forget to select a short passage you find emblematic/ relevant to read out aloud to the class.
Lolita
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rmc.library.cornell.edu/lolita/publishing/index.html
film : https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kwVtxb1_gz036ZWV3Wh3mJc8OfQ9I2nC/view?usp=sharing
extract :drive.google.com/file/d/1Y-mFnuSSuEP5SEUv6l2zJSrScA6DPk-I/view?usp=sharing
film : https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kwVtxb1_gz036ZWV3Wh3mJc8OfQ9I2nC/view?usp=sharing
extract :drive.google.com/file/d/1Y-mFnuSSuEP5SEUv6l2zJSrScA6DPk-I/view?usp=sharing
The Catcher in the Rye
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Lady Chatterley's Lover
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The Absolutey true Diary of a Part-Time Indian
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Tess of the D'Ubervilles
https://www.nas.org/blogs/article/ask_a_scholar_rape_or_seduction_in_tess_of_the_durbervilles
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Task :
As a student, write a letter to the Head teacher of your school to protest against the ban of a book, you've read and would like to study .
Extra material :
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/books-behind-bars/
http://cbldf.org/2017/02/alaska-school-board-removes-four-titles-from-reading-list-after-parent-complaints/
https://bannedbooksweek.org/10-reasons-books-are-challenged-and-banned/
https://ncac.org/incident/kids-right-to-read-project-opposes-banning-of-the-absolutely-true-diary-of-a-part-time-indian