Initial Research
Toni Morrison:
Novelist, editor, teacher
Won the Pulitzer Prize and American book award in 1988 for Beloved
Awarded Nobel prize
When she was 2, the landlord set fire to the family house because they didn't pay rent. Morrison decided to 'laugh at him', she felt that was the best way to keep your integrity.
The 'Beloved' trilogy
The true story of an enslaved African American woman 'Margaret Garner.' After killing her baby, returns as a ghost to taunt her mother and family.
'Song of Solomon'
'The Bluest Eye' black girl who longed to have blue eyes - girl she met at school, didn't believe in God, praying for 2 years to have blue eyes.
Politics:
Morrison believed Bill Clinton was 'our first black president' with the whole sex scandal. She felt like he was treated like a black person: already guilty.
'I want to see a cop shoot an unarmed white teenager in the back' - justice.
Does not identify her work as 'feminist' doesn't want to take positions that are closed - 'expand articulation rather than close it'.
Michael Gladwell:
Journalist, author, speaker
His mother (psychotherapist) huge role model as a writer
Started at 'the New Yorker' - gained popularity with his articles (tipping point) - became basis for his novels.
Process behind his writing: 'interested in collecting interesting stories and interesting research'.
'Tipping point' - how little things can make a big difference
His works deal with research in the areas of psychology, social psychology and sociology.
William Burroughs:
American writer and artist
Beat generation writer - group of young people who rejected conventional society, valuing free self expression and favouring modern jazz.
Drug abuse
Killed his wife in a prank
Naked lunch - disturbing drug culture journey, slicing up words and phrases to create new sentences.
After drug addiction treatment
Themes: Drugs, homosexuality and death
Margaret Atwood:
Canadian novelist, poet
Feminism - female characters dominated by patriarchy
Dystopia
Speculative fiction not science fiction - could actually happen
Animals - relation with humans
Handmaids Tale complex and disturbing futuristic thriller - All the horrible developments take place in U.S near Boston, while Canada is portrayed as the only hope for escape.
Used to read comic books
Reflection
Toni Morrison is an author who really sticks out for me. There is something really interesting about her writing style and her concepts. Her work is quite dark and deep - I like her point of view and how it is translated through her writing. She is definitely someone who i am extremely intrigued by and want to research more intensely.
