The worlds of Toni Morrison: a study of Beloved

What is the course about?

Toni Morrison, writer, professor and essayist on issues including race, gender and forces of life, won the Nobel Prize in Literature and the Pulitzer Prize in 1988. Beloved is regarded by many as Morrison’s best work, and once you have spent some time in the text, it is easy to understand why. Morrison works to help the reader grasp the psychological devastation wreaked by the institution of slavery by close observation of a community of ex-slaves creating lives in Ohio in the second half of the 19th century.

This text is meaty and evocative, and also quite difficult to read alone. The work also offers endless possibilities in terms of discussion of the formation of self, claiming of self, mother/child relationships, the fury of love, the permeable boundaries between the living and the not living, as well as the more predictable (but no less provocative) issues of race, gender and role of history.
Through Morrison’s luminous prose, we will discover the visionary realm of former slaves attempting to build lives out of the holocaust of slavery. Discussions will include reflections on racism as a historic and contemporary factor, as well as addressing the chaos and pain that racism causes in human experience.

Many writers resist the categories of race, gender or nationality that would attempt to constrain their art into a particular niche. We will use the history and social context that background this works as just that: background. The writing of Dr. Toni Morrison transcends categorization but connects all readers with recognizable emotions and themes.

This is a live online course. You will need:
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone if you don't have a computer.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.

What will we cover?

We will use the following topics as starting points as they are fundamental to the readings:
• Claiming a black voice in art and literature in the early 20th century.
• The use of figurative writing to access complex human experience: metaphor, symbol, imagery, narrative perspective, voice, tone, structure, humour, irony
• The theme of the Individual vs. society and how this shapes identity
• The history of black people in the United States after the Emancipation Proclamation; how history is woven into story.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

Discuss the key themes in 20th century black writing
Understand how narrative perspective, tone, irony and ‘voice’ contribute to the literature.
Understand the psychology of slavery and self-ownership through literary study.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

The course is an introduction to significant literature; participants should be able to read and identify areas that challenge them and share questions and insights, listening in an open and supportive way to the response of others. These abilities will be continually developed over the course of the study.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

The course is run primarily in a seminar and group discussion format. Lessons will include tutor presentation, art and music offerings to reflect the times and themes of the literature, dramatic readings and close analysis; facilitated and inclusive discussion is the core of our work. There will be opportunities for written reflections as well as many opportunities to offer your ideas in class.

Although it is not mandatory, it is recommended that you read the novel before the course begins to get the most out of our study.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

Please buy or borrow:
Beloved by Toni Morrison ISBN-10: 0099540975 (Vintage Classics 2010)

Although it is not mandatory, it is recommended that you read the novel before the course begins to get the most out of our study.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

Please look for other fiction courses to study at www.citylit.ac.uk under history, culture & writing/literature/fiction.