American Perspectives Short Texts Lecture on 3 October 2016 by Sigrid Brevik Wangsness

“Letter to Ma” by Merle Woo (1941- ) Asian-American writer and university lecturer

Context “Letter to Ma” was written in 1980 A personal and autobiographical letter The Asian-American experience: “model immigrants”?

1st, 2nd and 3rd generation immigrants The female immigrant experience Ma’s story The daughter’s story (= the narrator, “I”) Emily and Paul’s stories

Generation gap Summarize the difference between being a first, second and third-generation Asian American as portrayed in this letter. Describe the conflicting feelings the daughter has about “Ma”. (Compare the introduction to the conclusion). The author gives us a very visual image of the “two worlds” the two women represent. Which?

Physical security vs. emotional legacy For Ma, survival was the main concern, and in many ways she exemplifies the cost of immigration in human happiness. What is the daughter’s main goal? How does the daughter define her role as a “Yellow Feminist”? What will she fight against?

Lack of communication A major theme in immigrant literature generally is lack of communication. Why do you think the generation gap may be particularly painful for 1st and 2nd generation immigrants? What is it that the narrator feels she still needs from her mother? How do Ma’s grandchildren provide hope for the future? What is “the larger framework” in which the daughter sees their story?

Barack Obama: Keynote Address, Democratic Convention 2004 (Senator from Illinois)

Context The role of the President as a unifying symbol Important speeches in US history The role of the President as a unifying symbol What is a keynote address? Who was Barack Obama then?

American ideals and values Which typical American ideals and values does Mr. Obama refer to in his speech?

Major historic events Which important historic events does he mention? Why does he use history in this way, do you think?

Presentation techniques What are some of the presentation techniques and rhetorical devices that Mr. Obama uses?

Delivery and structure How would you evaluate the delivery of his speech? Give some examples. What about the structure of his speech?

A Man in Full: «The Saddlebags» Tom Wolfe: A Man in Full: «The Saddlebags» American author and journalist (1931- )

Context New Journalism Realism, satire, humour Study of a specific context Here: Atlanta in the 1990s. The world of politics and business

«The Saddlebags» Setting? Topic? Main characters? - Charlie Croker - Mr. Peepgass - Harry Zale - Mr. Croker’s staff and the bank staff

American business culture How would you characterize the main participants at the meeting? Briefly summarize the result of the meeting. Why, then, does Mr. Peepgass stand there, «stunned, «speechless» at the end of the meeting? What is the impression you get of American business culture in this excerpt?