Commonwealth Speakers:Literature
A collage by Commonwealth Speaker Christine Goldbeck of Shenandoah detailing Pennsylvania's mining history.
Appalachia in Fiction
Much of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a part of the Appalachian Region - one of the most misunderstood areas of the United States. Through dramatic readings of the work of Appalachian authors and a discussion of historic and contemporary visual presentations of Appalachia, Christine Goldbeck will lead audiences through the cultural geography of the region. Appalachia as a character in fiction, the cultural stereotyping of locations, and the role a sense of place plays in individuals and communities will all be examined through the prism of fictional Appalachia. Requirements: Screen and table.
Christine Goldbeck, Author and Editor of The Mine Country, Shenandoah
The Reluctant Sorcerer: The Fantastic Appeal of Harry Potter
The runaway success of the Harry Potter books is unparalleled in the world of English fantasy writing. In a presentation intended for adult readers of the Potter books, Douglas Rosentrater explores J. K. Rowling's allusions to Greco-Roman and Celtic mythology and to her own personal experiences, and he briefly discusses the wider genre of English fantasy writing, from Beowulf to C. S. Lewis to J.R.R. Tolkien. Requirements: TV, VCR, CD/cassette player, display table. DVD player, laptop computer and LCD projector preferred.
Douglas B. Rosentrater, Professor of Communications, Bucks County Community College, Newtown
Pennsylvania Poets on Pennsylvania
Walking down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway towards the Philadelphia Museum of Art is a thrill; the mountains of Pennsylvania are stunning. And we all have special places in our hearts for our hometowns. Love, hate, war, death and taxes in Pennsylvania - everything from the tiniest events to the largest questions have all inspired poems from and about the state. Join Jeanne Murray Walker to discuss poems that reflect the small towns, landscapes, cities, customs and rituals of the Commonwealth.
Jeanne Murray Walker, Ph.D., Professor of English, University of Delaware (resides in Merion, PA)
Poe the Poet
Why are the poems of the tragic genius Edgar Allen Poe so unforgettable? Daniel Hoffman, author of the National Book Award finalist Poe Poe Poe Poe Poe Poe Poe, discusses Poe's aesthetic theories and their influence on world literature and examines why his poetry continues to haunt us today.
Daniel Hoffman, Ph.D., Poet Laureate of the U.S. (1973-1974), Swarthmore
Wonder, the Word, and the Natural World
Careful observation and appreciation of the natural world finds expression in literary nonfiction and is particularly crucial to the work of Pennsylvania natives Rachel Carson, Annie Dillard, and Edward Abbey. Chauna Craig will lead participants in writing exercises to better understand how to write about the natural world; if weather and location permit, the presentation may include practice in keeping a field journal. Requirements: Display table.
Chauna J. Craig, Ph.D., Associate Professor of English and Creative Writing, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana