Franco Moretti "Graphs, Maps, Trees"

     In the article “Graphs, Maps, Trees” by Franco Moretti, Moretti takes an unconventional outlook on literature. Within the article, literature was viewed with scientific and analytical approach, such that literary history was portrayed with graphs and scientific data. The scientific approach of examining literature brings innovative ideas. After all, graphs are hardly used to describe literary history and genres.  The graphs within the articles convey the fluctuations in novel sells, publications, and genres. The analyzing of literature through the graphical approach is innovative; however, there are both benefits and draw backs to innovative ideas. Within this essay, the benefits and draw backs will be examined as well as the possibility of various literary projects with various fields.

                The benefits of the graphical approach to literature would be the clear and precise information and data that is provided in regards to the literary trends and historical fluctuations. Also the graphical approach helps people visualize and understand the history of literature clearer by showing the trends through the graphs. However, the draw back from the graphical approach to literature would be that it takes away the significance of literature, and written words because literature became something that is portrayed and expressed through statistics and numbers instead of words with meanings. The graphs take away the significance of the written words and the meanings and thoughts that the words are trying to convey.

                As mentioned before, other interdisciplinary projects that could combine with literature would be biological and physical sciences. What could be proposed as projects would be the combination of literature and biological and physical sciences by utilizing the written word to convey the information and data that is necessary as information for the sciences.

                As a result of the innovative approach to literature that is shown in the article by Moretti, another way to approach SSTLS that is other than close reading analysis would be through visual analysis such as watching or acting out scenes from the book.

M Butterfly

                The movie M Butterfly was based on the play M Butterfly by David Henry Hwang. The movie and the play were captivating in their exploration and linkage of the various problems in society. The movie centered on a Frenchman that fell in love with a Chinese opera singer. However, due to political circumstances and gender issues the love that the Frenchman, Renee, believed to be so real was actually an illusion. Thus, through the portrayal of the characters, Hwang explored the themes of political, gender, ethnicity, and love issues that are controversial in the society today.

                Throughout the film, gender and ethnicity issues were fortified through the character of the “female” Chinese opera singer. In Chinese opera, the female roles are traditionally played by males, however, the very fact that “Butterfly” whom was male was able to pass as a female in such a way that fooled Renee for so long says that Chinese men are androgynous. This brings to light the ethnicity issue that states Asian men are feminine. Also, the fact that once Renee found out that “Butterfly” was male, Renee rejected him because “Butterfly” wasn’t who Renee thought he was. Thus, the issue of the significance of gender in love was portrayed. The fact that once the fact that “Butterfly” was male was revealed, Renee can no longer love “him” like he loved “her.” The reason for the rejection could be rooted in the fact that homosexually was and still is viewed as something unordinary, and is rejected by society.

                Also, in the movie, political stances were illustrated. Through the conversations between Butterfly and Renee the political beliefs of China and France were portrayed. Politically China believes the French and all Westerners to be “foreign devils,” and that China should be independent of foreign influence politically. However, Renee who represents the foreign authorities believes that the Chinese wants to be dominated, and would submit politically if the “West” showed its power and authority.

                The movie of M Butterfly introduced to the audience several issues that are highly debated by society today. Instead of circumventing around the issues, Hwang focused on them, as if to say that nothing will be solved by running away. From this movie, one can see the clash of ideals in society, and as a consequence is forced to face them. Problems cannot be solved by turning away from them, but if examined, solutions can be reached.

SSTLS Brainstorm Response

Gary Shteyngart utilized his newly published novel Super Sad True Love Story to bring to focus the depictions of race and ethnicity that is prevalent in society today. The setting of the book is in the much more technologically advanced future; however, the depictions in the book are symbolic of the happenings in today’s society. Thus, by examining certain passages within the book by Shteyngart it can be seen through the depictions of race and ethnicity that stereotypical images of certain races or ethnicities are prevalent throughout the society today.

                The first passage from the book depicted race and ethnicity is the passage: “… an inbred Russian willingness to get drunk and chummy, an inbred Jewish willingness to laugh strategically at myself…” (88) Within this passage the stereotype of Russian chumminess and drunkenness was portrayed along with the stereotype that the Jewish laugh at them-selves “strategically.” This passage stands out because this passage showcased the understanding and point of view of Lenny towards himself. Not only that, but this passage also relates to the book as a whole because it showed the specific stereotype towards a race and ethnicity that was portrayed in the book. Specifically, this passage showed Lenny’s understanding towards the stereotypes that exists in society, which can be seen throughout the book. I believe this passage is significant because it brings a deeper focus to the stereotypes casted by society through the eyes of the very race and or ethnicity that are being stereotyped.

                The second passage is “…America people liked to ignore their week points and to stress their incredible accomplishments.” (138) The passage depicts the stereotype of Americans. This passage stood out because of the reference that Lenny made to stereotype of the “America people” even though he is American. Because by stating the passage in third person, Shteyngart showed that Americans do not only stereotype against other ethnicities and races but also get stereotyped by themselves and others as well. To the theme as a whole, this passage showed the stereotypes towards Americans as an ethnic group. This proved to be important because it showed the stereotypes from different points of views.

                The third passage is the ethnic stereotype of the “… ties of the family,” (166) that is believed to be predominant in Korean, Asian, and Jewish ethnic groups. In the case of the passage from the book: the Koreans and Jews. This passage therefore showed the stereotype of the family piety of Koreans and Jews. The tie to the theme in the whole novel is that stereotypes are predominant in every aspect of life. I believe that family closeness is something to be happy and proud of; however, the depictions of the very closeness can sometimes hold negative meanings.

                Over all, throughout SSTLS stereotypes of various races and ethnicities were depicted. The set depictions of the races and ethnicities cause stereotypes and discrimination between people, which in the end causes disunity among individuals and countries.