I think, also, we could have an interesting discussion regarding the issue of space, especially in light of Michael's presentation last Thursday. It seems to me that the author very deliberately presents a particular representation of space. I'm thinking of this image in terms of Sarajevo as a city under siege, but also as the city's inhabitants living, literally, helplessly under their attackers. In what ways does Mehmedinovic manipulate this issue of space in the narrative, and why?
Monday, March 21, 2011
sarajevo blues
In terms of discussion tomorrow, there are a couple of thematic questions that I think would be especially interesting to try and flush out. One would be the obvious influence of Kiš in this collection and the questions of art escaping artifice, the triumph or downfall of literature juxtaposed against history, literature as embodying responsibility, and the manifestation of art in reality.
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Great question Kelly. I was also thinking about this idea of space and how Mehmedinovic seems to utilize and discuss his surroundings instead of focus on emotions of individuals. This is, I think, very similar to Kis as well. These techniques of remaining objective and somewhat distant seem to mimic the feeling in Sarajevo at the time, but why else do you think Mehmedinovic does this? What does it do for the reader? This is closely related to the topic of my last paper so I have some ideas, but I'm having a hard time expanding my analysis further. I look forward to hearing from you all tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteKelly, you bring up an interesting point about the space that Mehmedinovic describes...I see it is a very deliberate space as well. He was literally trapped within the city with snipers all around him. In that sense I feel it is a fixed space. But, Mallorie, when you say that he is also "distnat" is interesting as well, because I get a sense of distance in his work, even though they all are related to the same period of siege, the same space. Further, I think Mehmedinovic often compares what reality was like before the siege and how it changed during and why. This is something I would like to talk about tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteKelly, you bring up an interesting point about the space that Mehmedinovic describes...I see it is a very deliberate space as well. He was literally trapped within the city with snipers all around him. In that sense I feel it is a fixed space. But, Mallorie, when you say that he is also "distnat" is interesting as well, because I get a sense of distance in his work, even though they all are related to the same period of siege, the same space. Further, I think Mehmedinovic often compares what reality was like before the siege and how it changed during and why. This is something I would like to talk about tomorrow.
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