Taken from the dining room at Brock House.
The outline for the course:
P105 Strong Women in Literature NEW
Throughout the western literary tradition, women have at times been presented as strong, self- reliant iconoclasts. This course will examine how narrative artists have utilized the strong woman protagonist to critique, and to assess the consequences of the disenfranchisement of women in western society. We will begin with a look at strong wom- en in the works of Emily Bronte, Kate Chopin, and George Eliot and then turn to the Bible, Greek drama, Shakespeare, opera and modern drama.
Jan. 17
Introduction. The traditional concept of gender, and the role of literature in perpetuating gender stereotypes. Discussion of the work of Kate Chopin, especially “The Story of an Hour,” and the heroines of George Eliot.
Jan. 24
Strong Women in the Bible. Traditional depictions of women in Hebrew patriarchy (Eve, Delilah, Potiphar’s wife, Jezebel, Salome) are contrasted with sympathetic and heroic images of women in the bible. We will be looking at drama and opera videos.
Jan. 31
Strong Women in Greek Drama. The role of women in “democratic” Greece. Background of Greek tragedy, with fo- cus on women as tragic heroines (Medea, Phaedra, Antigone).
Feb. 7
Strong Women in Chaucer and Shake- speare. Chaucer’s “Wife of Bath.” Wom- en’s roles at the time of the English Re- naissance. Focus on Kate (Taming of the Shrew), Viola (Twelfth Night) and Portia (Merchant of Venice).
Feb. 14
No class - Room Unavailable
Feb. 21
Strong Women in Opera. The genre of opera requires strong women heroes. Focus on Strauss’ Salome, Bizet’s Car- men and Puccini’s Tosca.
Feb. 28
Strong Women in Modern Drama.
Background of the emerging role of women in late 19th century. The focus will be on Ibsen’s Nora Helmer and Hedda Gabler, and Bernard Shaw’s Eliza Doolittle.
Throughout the western literary tradition, women have at times been presented as strong, self- reliant iconoclasts. This course will examine how narrative artists have utilized the strong woman protagonist to critique, and to assess the consequences of the disenfranchisement of women in western society. We will begin with a look at strong wom- en in the works of Emily Bronte, Kate Chopin, and George Eliot and then turn to the Bible, Greek drama, Shakespeare, opera and modern drama.
Jan. 17
Introduction. The traditional concept of gender, and the role of literature in perpetuating gender stereotypes. Discussion of the work of Kate Chopin, especially “The Story of an Hour,” and the heroines of George Eliot.
Jan. 24
Strong Women in the Bible. Traditional depictions of women in Hebrew patriarchy (Eve, Delilah, Potiphar’s wife, Jezebel, Salome) are contrasted with sympathetic and heroic images of women in the bible. We will be looking at drama and opera videos.
Jan. 31
Strong Women in Greek Drama. The role of women in “democratic” Greece. Background of Greek tragedy, with fo- cus on women as tragic heroines (Medea, Phaedra, Antigone).
Feb. 7
Strong Women in Chaucer and Shake- speare. Chaucer’s “Wife of Bath.” Wom- en’s roles at the time of the English Re- naissance. Focus on Kate (Taming of the Shrew), Viola (Twelfth Night) and Portia (Merchant of Venice).
Feb. 14
No class - Room Unavailable
Feb. 21
Strong Women in Opera. The genre of opera requires strong women heroes. Focus on Strauss’ Salome, Bizet’s Car- men and Puccini’s Tosca.
Feb. 28
Strong Women in Modern Drama.
Background of the emerging role of women in late 19th century. The focus will be on Ibsen’s Nora Helmer and Hedda Gabler, and Bernard Shaw’s Eliza Doolittle.
