Grand Dames of American Literature – Tucson

Details

When:
No class on Nov 21

Where: The Hampton Inn

Cost: $185.00 for 8 session(s)

Type: In Person

Category:

• Humanities Courses
• Literature

Instructor: William A. Fry William A. Fry, Ph.D., a founding member of the Learning Curve faculty
William A. Fry

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)