Austin Woerner's Memory Palace
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WOC190 Fall 2019 Session 2

Class Notes and Homework Assignments

Day 8

W-Th Nov. 20-21

  • Object essay reading

  • The Proverbs of Hell: Introduction to aphorisms

  • Share details from “Uncle Pat”

  • Intro to Essay 3

  • Redistribute “postcards from the past”

Homework

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Essay 3: Character in Context
Essay 3: Character in Context

due before class on Mon. Apr. 24

Write a short essay, either memoir or journalism, about a character with a significant relationship to a place.

➤ Begin working on Essay 3

Your “Character in Context” essay is due M-Tu. Dec. 2-3. It might be a good idea to start working on it, or at least start thinking about who to write about.

If you’re interested in writing a journalistic profile and might want to tag along with one of the Kunshan Digital Humanities Archive groups to find a subject to interview, message me and let me know. I could reach out to one of the groups on your behalf. Check out this list of projects and see if any of these intrigue you.

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Yiyun Li, "The Man Who Eats"
Yiyun Li, "The Man Who Eats"

Novelist Yiyun Li writes about her grandfather, his times, and his relationship with food.

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Joseph Mitchell, “Mazie"
Joseph Mitchell, “Mazie"

Joseph Mitchell’s classic profile of a famous denizen of the 1930s Bowery.

➤ Read “The Man Who Eats” and “Mazie” (excerpts)

These are both pretty long, so if your time is limited I’d recommend you focus on the one that matches the genre you’re planning on writing in (“The Man Who Eats” for memoir; “Mazie” for journalism). However, please make sure at least read the first couple pages of each. Obviously, if you can read all of both, it’s ideal!

As you read, keep your eyes for these things and try to find at least one of them. Mark them so you’re able to share them in class.

Things to look for:

  • Physical description of a character’s appearance

  • A list of concrete objects

  • An anecdote about a character (something they once did)

  • A description of a character’s habits (something they always or often do or did)

  • An aphorism that reflects the character’s values or worldview

  • Something another character says about that character

  • A description of the character acting in a scene (physical action)

  • Quotation or dialogue that captures a character’s voice

➤ Write your own aphorisms

Choose one of the “Proverbs of Hell” you find interesting and write three more aphorisms, using different language, reflecting the same “kernel of truth” that the original proverb conveys. (In other words, use one proverb to generate three new proverbs.)

➤ Read your postcard

Read the “postcard from the past” you were given and be ready to read it aloud for us next class!

Austin Woerner