Uncategorized – RMST 202 BLOGS

April 4, 2022

RMST 202 Conclusion

I can’t believe this is the very last post for this class. I have learned so much through this class and it has opened a new type of genre of books for me. I really enjoyed this class since it almost seemed like taking a break for myself to just sit and read and engage with the novel. I really enjoyed the system of this class I really liked the flexibility of it. In my first post, I thought the contract grading was a bit overwhelming. Looking back over the semester, having the consistency of weekly posts and one discussion was nice to manage. I think the most overwhelming part was signing the contract to commit to my goal for this class. I really enjoyed going when the class switched to in-person discussions it was interesting to hear everyone’s perspective. On zoom it was good too, but in-person made the conversation feel like it flowed better and after a year of zoom it was nice to have in-person discussions.

I think after reading a few of the other posts about “The Society of Reluctant Dreamers” I have found a new goal for this summer. However, after talking to my grandma about this class and she told me she read or heard of Bonjour Tristesse. It was quite cool having something different to bond over. Then she told me to read The Citadel by A.J Cronin so I may finish that first before starting another. I feel like the semester has flown by but also has felt super long. I reread my first introduction blog and it feels like ages ago when I wrote that. It’s going to feel weird not writing a blog post this upcoming week or having classes at all.

I have recommended this class to many of friends not only because they need a literature requirement. Also, because this class never really felt like you’re just completely everything for the credit. Along with, the exposure to various texts and vocabulary which has really helpful over the term. Overall, my favourite book was reading Bonjour Tristesse. I think since the main character reminded me of the Parent Trap twins it made it easier for me to understand the character further. I also got really got engaged with the drama between the characters within the novel.

Thank you so much to Professor Beasley-Murray, Jennifer, and Patricio for a great semester!

The question I pose to my classmates is, what was your favourite book over the term and why?

January 17, 2022January 18, 2022

Combray by Marcel Proust

I find reading digitally really challenging sometimes and tend to read but not actually absorb all the themes the narrator is trying to convey. I kept that in mind as I started to read this, I put away all other distractions and just read which was a really nice change. I found the beginning a little confusing to keep track of what’s happening, although, I found this read really kept me engaged. I was intrigued by the narrator’s detail reflecting upon their memories considering sometimes memories lose detail over time. Maybe that was purposeful of the author to showcase the significance of these moments? The part that clicked for me was on page nine when the narrator said “generally I would not try to go back to sleep right away; I would spend the greater part of the night remembering our life in the old days, in Combray at my great-aunt’s house…” (pg.9). I think this part clicked because this is where the setting switches to the narrator living in his memories with his family, while before that it was briefly mentioned such as on-page six, “immediately, I would say to myself: ‘Why, I went to sleep in the end even though Mama didn’t come to say goodnight to me’…” (pg.6). Now, rereading the part after completing the whole thing, I understand the importance of this memory highlighting the relationship between the narrator and his Mama.

Throughout this read, the theme of relationships really stood out to me. Of course, the narrator and his mother and father, but also the grandmother and her sister really stood out to me. This relationship stood out to me due to the great-aunt interfering with her sister’s marriage by intentionally trying to make her frustrated by giving the husband liqueurs. It also stood out to me how the author detailed the grandmother’s reaction to smiling to conceal her emotions. Now, the relationship between the son and his mother showcased emotional attachment to their ritual of a goodnight kiss. I found the passage where the narrator is told by his mom to not get caught still awake by his father really shocking. I wasn’t expecting the father to react calmly and argue that he was more worried about his son being upset/anxious rather than worrying about this as a habit like his mother did.

I was also intrigued by the passage about the garden. Is there a correlation between why the father would send his son to read in his room when it rained too much and the father’s interest in the weather? The grandmother on the other hand argued that “especially that boy, who so needs to build up his endurance and willpower” (pg.11) leads me to wonder why the father didn’t believe the same position considering the novel was written in the early 1900s.

January 12, 2022January 13, 2022

RMST 202 INTRODUCTION

Hello everyone!

My name is Arielle and I am a second-year student, majoring in psychology and either minoring in sociology or anthropology. I am from Vancouver, BC and I love Vancouver but I really miss traveling, especially to tropical places.

Honestly, I took this course to fulfill the literature requirement but I chose this one out of all the options because it sparked my interest to learn something totally different from my other courses. I originally was going to take grsj lit since it had similar themes to my major and maybe I still will, but I’m quite excited for this course this semester! I look forward to reading these novels and I expect to be challenged to understand these new concepts compare to my typical genre of books. I am intrigued by this course’s assessment system as I find it very overwhelming and motivating.

After watching the first lecture, I am very intrigued with the material especially after learning that “the Romance World has no territory”. I was shocked. As I thought the exact answer professor Jon said was incorrect. I totally thought it was going to be somewhere located within Europe. It didn’t even cross my mind of other locations such as Africa. I am also looking forward to reading the novels to see the comparison between female and male authors or any other disparities. I’m curious to see if there will be a drastic difference. I’m excited for this semester to learn more!