Grand Dames of American Literature – Tucson

1890-1960

Although women authors have been part of the American literary scene since Puritan poet Anne Bradstreet in the 17th century, Abigail Adams in the 18th century, and Louisa May Alcott, Harriet Beecher Stowe and Emily Dickinson (and others) in the 19th century, it was not until the Progressive Era, beginning around 1890 and lasting well into the 20th century, that the true Grand Dames arrived on the scene. These authors were intelligent, sophisticated, talented, courageous, prolific and memorable. By the turn of the 20th century, the “new women” authors were using their literary talents to change the definition of womanhood in profound ways. They were getting jobs, attending college, fighting for the right to vote, rejecting the traditional domestic life, and proudly becoming part of the American literary landscape, many times against all odds. Join Dr. Bill Fry for this 8-week survey in which we will become better acquainted with the early Grand Dames of American literature.

Week 1: An introductory survey of five authors with brief readings from each:

1. Frances Ellen Watkins Harper (1825-1911)

2. Charlotte Perkins Gilman (1860-1935)

3. Ellen Glasgow (1874-1945)

4. Gertrude Stein (1874-1946)

5. Hilda Doolittle (H.D.) (1886-1946)

Week 2: Kate Chopin (1851-1904) – “The Story of An Hour” (Short story)

Sarah Orne Jewett (1849-1909) – “The Dulham Ladies” (Short story)

Week 3: Edith Wharton (1862-1937) – “Roman Fever” (Short story)

Week 4: Amy Lowell (1874-1925) and Edna St. Vincent Millay (1892-1950) (Selected poetry)

Week 5: Willa Cather (1873-1947) – “Paul’s Case”

Week 6: Zora Neale Hurston (1891-1960) – Their Eyes Were Watching God (Novel)

Week 7: Katherine Anne Porter (1890-1980) – “He” (Short story)

Week 8: Eudora Welty (1909-2001) – “The Petrified Man” (Short story)


Instructor: William A. Fry

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Chopin and the Romantic Era

Being a true Romantic artist, Chopin created a new piano style of extreme emotional intensity expressed in absolutely perfect form. After leaving Poland Chopin settled in Paris where he met and befriended great French writers, composers and painters such as Balzac, Berlioz and Delacroix. He stunned French aristocracy and general public with his blend of Polish folk elements and the universal European style.

Chopin was a truly innovative piano virtuoso sublimating his brilliant pianistic arsenal into transcendent artistic creativity. Chopin’s music symbolizes Polish culture in many different ways. He was a Polish patriot and a true national composer. Chopin created piano pieces where the Polish national character is reflected through the beautiful, often sad, melodies, particular Slavic modes and rhythmic patterns. The call to Polish Independence is clearly heard in his polonaises, and his mazurkas reflect endless varieties of moods truly which became Chopin’s emotional diary throughout his life.

In a series of lectures illustrated with piano performances of selected works, explore Chopin’s music starting with his early piano concertos and etudes, continuing with his beautiful nocturnes, waltzes, mazurkas, barcarolle and polonaises. Special attention will be devoted to four Ballades, true romantic masterpieces, where Chopin’s genius reached the utmost height. We will discuss Chopin’s life, his relationship with George Sand, famous French novelist and his partner, who greatly influenced his life, as well as Chopin’s personality and connections with famous contemporaries such as Robert Schumann, Franz Liszt and Felix Mendelssohn.


Instructor: Alexander Tentser

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