Michael Krasny: Jewish American Fiction (Virtual on Zoom)

We will explore, via lecture and discussion, stories written by major Jewish American authors of the post-World War II period.  What does their fiction reveal to us about major motifs of Jewish identity and Jewish values and why is their work of ongoing importance? Authors will include Bernard Malamud, Grace Paley, and Isaac Bashevis Singer.

Four sessions: May 3, 10, 17, 24 @ 7:00 - 8:30 pm

Readings:

For May 10: Isaac Singer’s "Gimpel the Fool" and Bernard Malamud’s The Magic Barrel

For May 17:  Grace Paley’s "Goodbye and Good Luck" and Cynthia Ozick’s "The Shawl"

For May 24:  Philip Roth’s "Defender of the Faith" and Saul Bellow’s "A Silver Dish"

(No readings for the first session on 5/3)

Videos:

Session 1—5/3: https://youtu.be/whOmN6NwWT0

Session 2—5/10: https://youtu.be/A8Dik71VFNQ

Session 3—5/17: https://youtu.be/4mOVVr7LrLw

Session 4—5/24: https://youtu.be/E7xPz1Et1pM