HENA03833U English - Free topic: Jewish American Literature in the Twentieth Century

The course begins with a brief survey of the history of Jews in America, before examining some of the major literary works produced by Jewish writers in America in the twentieth century. Topics include the experience of the ghetto, assimilation and identity, the Yiddish cultural renaissance, inter-generational differences, religious and secular Judaism, alternative histories of Jews in America, the relationship between Israel and America, and the memory of the genocide of European Jews. Course readings include Anzia Yezierska, Hungry Hearts; Henry Roth, Call it Sleep; Philip Roth, The Plot against America; Michael Chabon, The Yiddish Policeman’s Union; Art Spiegelman, Maus; Cynthia Ozick, The Shawl; Allegra Goodman, The Family Markowitz. Poetry (Charles Renikoff and Adrienne Rich) and short stories (Bernard Malamud and Isaac Bashevis Singer) will also be discussed.