English 177 - Fall, 2012

Study of an Individual Author

Topic: Samuel Beckett

Class Information

Instructor: Dobbins, Gregory
CRN: 43458
Time: MWF 1:10-2:00
Location: 205 Olson

Description

Samuel Beckett inhabits an unusual place in the history of twentieth century literature. Though he was a native English speaker from Ireland, many of his best known works were originally written in French; while he is best known for his drama, he actually preferred to write prose; and his play 'Waiting for Godot' is so famous that it has become a commonplace in popular culture, yet much of his writing is so difficult that one must completely adjust one's capacity to enjoy literature in order to enter into a serious engagement with it. This class will seek to introduce, unravel, and revel in the maddening qualities of Beckett's writing, and will cover very well known works such as 'Waiting for Godot' and 'Endgame' in addition to much more obscure examples of Beckett's fiction and drama.

WARNING: At times, the works of Samuel Beckett can be among the most obscure and difficult writing of the twentieth century; furthermore, Beckett's writing is frequently concerned with the obscene, the scatological, and the blasphemous. I expect this to be a difficult class. If any of this bothers you, this class is probably not for you.

Grading

TBA