Reading Literature: Madness and Mystery
What does “madness” mean? How can we tell when the teller of a tale is to be trusted and when her words and motives are suspect? And how does one distinguish between madness and genius? In this course we will enter into that discussion, thereby becoming part of a debate that has occupied philosophers and poets for ages. To that end, we will closely read works ranging from Shakespeare to Ken Kesey, including Poe, Browning, Melville, Tennessee Williams, and Toni Morrison. In addition to gaining an appreciation for a wide variety of styles, techniques, and genres, we will work to develop a vocabulary for speaking about literature; hone critical and analytical skills; and achieve fluency in written expression. 3 hrs. lect./disc.