Paper #1: The Theories of Sappho (due Friday, Sep.3 in class)

 

For your first paper assignment, I want you to play with the idea that works of literature can also be theories, as their ideas and language can be used as a ‘light’ to illuminate other works of art and literature. With that in mind, I want you to use one of Sappho’s poems as a theory that can help you interpret or analyze another work of art (a book, film, song, painting, etc). Remember that Culler writes, “Works regarded as theory have effects beyond their original field...the main effect of theory is the disputing of ‘common sense’: commonsense views about meaning, writing, literature, experience.” So how can one of Sappho’s poems help us see something new, puzzling, or exciting in your work of art? In other words, what didn’t you see or understand about this work until you looked at it through the eyes of Sappho?

FIRST, I want you to close read the Sappho poem: explain what makes it a unique work of literature (Culler, Chapter 2) rather than merely an incomplete poem or an ancient advertisement. Remember that Culler says “Aesthetic objects, for Kant and other theorists, have a ‘purposiveness without purpose’...[we are] not to take the work as primarily destined to accomplishing some purpose, such as informing or persuading us.” So what makes the poem call attention to itself, and how do the sounds, language, images, etc. lead to one possible interpretation of the work?

THEN, I want you to use this poem to examine one or two specific passages in your work of art. Based on your interpretation of the poem, how can these ideas/theories be used to uncover a specific reading/analysis of this work? Be specific, and compare ideas in the poem to passages in your work: QUOTE small passages from each so we can see them side by side. Show us how Sappho’s poem helps you see something new (or challenge something old) in your work of art.

THINGS TO CONSIDER

• No formal introduction: just start examining Sappho’s poem.
• Briefly introduce your work of art in the second part: make sure we know who created it, what it’s about, when it was created, etc.  
• Quote from each work and examine these quotations; a close reading is showing us how the language = meaning, and not simply assuming we understand.
• Quote at least once from Culler’s Literary Theory to aid in your reading/interpretation of either work.
• Cite all of your quotations according to MLA guidelines.
• Have fun with the assignment and try to challenge yourself! The more specific you are, and the better you can ‘think out loud,’ the better you’ll do on the assignment.

DUE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3^rd IN CLASS! (yes, bring it to class—we’ll discuss it)