ENGL 44750 - Voice of the People: England's Lawrence, Spain's Lorca, America's Hughes

Institution:

University of Notre Dame

Subject:

English

Description:

This course examines works by an interrelated trio of writers, D.H. Lawrence (1885-1930), Federico García Lorca (1898-1936), and Langston Hughes (1902-67), all profoundly influenced by the populist poetry of Walt Whitman. These three writers draw deeply from archaic and folk traditions to offer working-class solutions to the inhumane aspects of modern capitalism. Lawrence probes modern psychology and primitive cultures, looking for a social order that would recognize both the erotic and the spiritual yearnings repressed in the modern world. Lorca turns to the folk Catholicism, the gypsies, and the Moorish remnants of Spain in search of what he calls "deep song," finding it not only in Spain but also in Harlem of the 1930s. Hughes probes African American folk culture, blues, and jazz, attempting to, as Whitman proposed, "sing America" for his own people. In many ways, Lorca, whom he translated, was his example for bringing the voices of the people into the realm of high art. The class will fly to and from Seville and also visit Granada (via fast train). Andalucia is the region of Spain that Lorca writes about, and it abounds in cultural riches. In Seville, we will visit the great cathedral and the Alcazar palace. In the evening, we will hear and see authentic flamenco performed by a gypsy family. In Granada, we will visit Lorca's family home, which is now a museum. To understand more deeply the Moorish heritage of Spain, we will tour the Alhambra, the most complete and beautiful medieval Islamic palace still extant, and we will explore the accompanying urban enclave from that period, the Albayzin, also a World Heritage Site.

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.nd.edu

Phone Number:

(574) 631-5000

Regional Accreditation:

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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