HON 293: Literary Scandals
Monday April 23, 2007
Tuesday April 17, 2007 Since the whole class has expressed a desire to take the final exam early, I thought we might use this blog post to try to agree on a single time before the scheduled date, which is Tuesday May 8, 1-4pm. Please note that I can't give the exam before May 1st or outside of allowed exam hours (e.g., after 9pm). I'm not done writing the exam yet, so I don't know how long it will take, but you're entitled to the full three hours.
Please post a comment to this post and say whether you're willing to take the exam at each of the following times:
- Tuesday, May 1, 1-4pm
- Wednesday, May 2, 8-11am
- Wednesday, May 2, 1-4pm
- Wednesday, May 2, 6-9pm
- Thursday, May 3, 8-11am
- Thursday, May 3, 6-9pm
- Friday, May 4, 8-11am
- Friday, May 4, 1-4pm
- Friday, May 4, 6-9pm
Posted by alfrench ( Apr 17 2007, 06:33:44 PM EDT )
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Don't forget to submit an evaluation for this course at http://classeval.ncsu.edu anytime between April 16 and April 29. For help, e-mail ClassEval@help.ncsu.edu.
Posted by alfrench ( Apr 17 2007, 06:14:11 PM EDT )
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Here's the Wikipedia article on the Danish cartoons controversy. See especially the section on Reprinting in other newspapers, which notes that "Notable for a lack of republication of the cartoons were most major newspapers in the USA[41] and the United Kingdom,[42] where editorials covered the story without including them. Several newspapers were closed and editors fired or arrested for their decision or intention to re-publish the cartoons, including the shutting down of a 60 year old Malaysian newspaper permanently."
One U.S. publication that did reprint the original cartoons was Harper's magazine, in the June 2006 article "Drawing Blood", by Art Spiegelman of Maus fame. But even this publication, or perhaps Art Spiegelman, appears to still be worried about reproducing the images online, even in a database that only universities and libraries are likely to subscribe to. While many if not most of the major articles from Harper's are available to us through the NCSU Libraries, this article has the following caveat attached to it: "This database normally includes full text of articles available from this publication. However, this particular article is not included at the request of the rights holder." To be fair, several other articles from Harper's are so marked, though not usually cover stories, as far as I can tell.
I seem to recall that Spiegelman wrote that the most offensive cartoon was probably not the one depicting Mohammed with a bomb in his turban but the one in which the prophet appears to have a halo, but, upon closer examination, has horns.
Posted by alfrench ( Apr 17 2007, 06:06:54 PM EDT )
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Had there been any other novels before that caused as much of an uproar in the Muslim community as Rushdie's book, or have there been any since?
Posted by jrforres ( Apr 17 2007, 04:09:18 PM EDT )
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Have Muslim groups in the UK and Muslim countries ever banded together in an attempt to get another book (besides the Satanic Verses) banned for blasphemy? What are England's blasphemy laws; are they still in existence? Have they been applied in recent history?
Posted by gtbroadh ( Apr 17 2007, 03:36:47 PM EDT )
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(Small question) Rushdie is consistently crude towards different races and religions. On Page 47, Pipes states, "Rushdie takes particular delight in insulting political leaders." To go along with an earlier web blog question, what are the limitations in the freedom of speech? How is he able to blatantly insult so many people? (Main question) Pipes explains the riots and attacks that took place in Pakistan, but was only able to give stipulations for why this event took place. He mentions that the "violence may have been directed toward those in the opposition who wanted to exploit the opportunity to attack Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto." Who was Benazir Bhutto and why were Rushdie and Bhutto long-standing political opponents?
Posted by jmschafe ( Apr 17 2007, 02:52:41 PM EDT )
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Did Rushdie's sentiments towards Americans, Muslims and the British, expressed in The Satanic Verses, effect his status within England's society, for example the Royal Society of Literature, popularity of his books, writing for columns, etc.?
Posted by crseller ( Apr 17 2007, 01:44:24 PM EDT )
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Is it illegal to make a public statement about a book which you have not even read? Shahbuddin's statement of "Yes, I have not read it, nor do I intend to. I do not have to wade through a filthy drain to know what filth is" seems unethical if not illegal.
Posted by srpecnik ( Apr 17 2007, 11:49:44 AM EDT )
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Monday April 16, 2007 Has Khomeini issued any other fatwas or death warrants against any other prominent people or anyone in his country?
Posted by dbmays2 ( Apr 16 2007, 11:17:10 PM EDT )
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On page 50-51, it says that Rushdie supported and even liked the government in Nicaragua. What kind of govenment is in place for the Sandanistas (monarchy, dictatorship, etc.), and how many rights do the people have? In essence, what makes Nicaragua's government so different that a pessimist like Rushdie would like it? I say pessimist because he negatively speaks of most countries and their governments. I can't seem to think of the appropriate word at the moment.
Posted by hlfaircl ( Apr 16 2007, 05:44:29 PM EDT )
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Pipes mentions that "The Satanic Verses" was banned in countries such as India, South Africa, and Pakistan, but was it ever published and/or banned in the United States? Also, how does censorship in the United States compare to censorship in countries such as India or Pakistan?
Posted by labruner ( Apr 16 2007, 03:45:18 PM EDT )
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Tuesday April 10, 2007 The poem printed at the beginning of the chapter about Stalin is the catalyst that started Mandelstam's censorship by the government, but, did Mandelstam ever write any other poems or works criticizing Stalin, directly or indirectly? If so, what are they?
Posted by jrforres ( Apr 10 2007, 04:06:41 PM EDT )
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according to the short bibliographical article on Stalin: "In his prime, Stalin was hailed as a universal genius, as a ?shining sun,? or ?the staff of life,? and also as a ?great teacher and friend? (especially of those communities he most savagely persecuted)" why would these people consider him such a great ruler if he persecuted them so harshly? the article mentions some of his more major acheivements, but leaves out some of the more specific things he did within his country...what kind of laws did he enforce within Russia's smaller communities? what kind of rights did his people have under him? it seems like he, being a very strict and strong dictator, wouldn't give his people enough rights in order for them like him.
Posted by hlfaircl ( Apr 10 2007, 03:53:58 PM EDT )
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What other "masters" (literary and otherwise) were persecuted by Stalin for criticizing his regime? Have any of the non-"masters" that were killed by Stalin made the designation of "master" posthumously?
Posted by gtbroadh ( Apr 10 2007, 03:20:17 PM EDT )
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On page 196, Pipes mentions that the publishing house got cold feet and didn't publish "The Rushdie Dossier." However, it was later published by a different press as "The Rushdie File" and nearly sold out. What was the purpose/motivation behind the book and how did people respond to it?
Posted by labruner ( Apr 23 2007, 09:23:46 PM EDT )
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