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The Poetry of Li-Young Lee

The Poetry of Li-Young Lee . m emory, language, family. Li-Young Lee. 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

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The Poetry of Li-Young Lee

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  1. The Poetry of Li-Young Lee memory, language, family

  2. Li-Young Lee • Born Aug 19, 1957 in Jakarta, Indonesia • Maternal grandfather was China’s 1st 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?

  3. Poetic Images & Motifs • 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?

  4. “Persimmons” • 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

  5. memory, language, family • “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

  6. Visions & Interpretations • 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

  7. Schedule • 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 JhumpaLahiri

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