Post your comments, impressions, opinions about Fred Gardaphe's lecture/conversation.
In a second, separate paragraph, write the TEXT of a question you would ask in the final, connecting Gardaphe's lecture and essay with the course materials. Please, don't start with: "I would ask....." Just write the actual question itself.
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ReplyDeleteI enjoyed Fred Gardaphe’s visit to our class. Not only did I think it complemented the material we have been learning and studying for the past few months but I also feel it was a nice change of pace to have an additional lecturer provide their point of view. To me it was obvious that he is a very well read person who is quite familiar with many works of literature and film and so he was able to provide many correlations and explanations for our questions. I also appreciated his willingness and openness to divulge information about his personal life and his past, as I feel the class was intrigued by his personal life because of the bits of information we gathered through his thesis essay and so it was nice to have an opportunity to actually speak to him as the author and be able to question things we had wondered about. In my opinion, Gardaphe is an excellent authority on Italian-American literature and film and he is quite enjoyable as a lecturer.
ReplyDeleteWhat are the similarities and differences of the characters, story lines, and backgrounds between the pieces Son of Italy, Christ in Concrete, L’emigrante, and The Italian?
What I found refreshing about Fred Gardaphe’s lecture to our class was his attention to detail, and a willingness to speak in detail about the Mafia. Gardaphe’s insight on the inner workings of organized crime is a treat for anyone who is facinated by this topic, and judging by the way society is always looking for a good mob story to be told, he will always have a captive audience for his view's and opinions. I did think during his lecture that he felt rushed to fit in as much as posible from his vast experience, and perhaps having him available to give analysis during and after some of the films we have screened would have tapped into his knowledge even more.
ReplyDeleteBased on your experience, how do you believe society views the Italian immigrant from the early 1920's,as were depicted in Son of Italy and Christ in Concrete, to that of the more acomplished immigrants of L’emigrante and he Godfather? Did the Italian American make progress, or become tainted by association with the Mafia?
I enjoyed that the lecture seemed to be well balanced. While initially I was worried that it would be too much about just his personal past, it seemed like enough time was then set aside for discussing the novels we've read. It was also interesting to hear about him meeting and knowing a few of the authors. It really emphasized this idea that the world of Italian-American writers was far too small. Lastly, I'm also glad he didn't talk about just one time period of it all. He discussed the past, the present and even the future of Italian-American literature, including where he sees it going, and where he hopes it goes.
ReplyDeleteUsing examples from Son of Italy and Christ in Concrete, compare and contrast how the life of a first generation Italian-American immigrant still mirrored the life of a 3rd generation Italian-American as described by Gardaphe in his lecture and essay.
Fred Gardaphe's visit to our class was very refreshing. Originally I thought he was going to be speaking only about his article that we read but in the two and a half hours he spoke, he had a lot to bring to the table. He spoke about his personal history but also knew so much about many different Italian-American novels. Not only did he know a lot about them, it seemed as if they were his own because he really knew what he was talking about. He also answered everyone's questions and gave his attention to the works we have studied in class. It was very nice having him speak to us.
ReplyDeleteGardaphe mentioned that it was very hard to be Italian in America. How does this present itself in the works we have studied in class? Give at least 2 examples.
Fred Gardaphe's presentation was a different pace and it made it more intriguing to want to listen to his experiences. However I felt as if he had repeated most of what was stated in his essay.Im glad that he did however expand on his personal runins with his friends in the beginning as well as in the end as they became adults. It always seems as if the good guy finishes last. As he stated his son wanted to know why they were driving the worse car. He added comedy to his presentation and it made it more interesting.
ReplyDeleteGardaphe mentioned that he wanted this to open doors for other Italian Americans to write and share their experiences. However I wonder if he really thinks by granting access to the public will it increase the amount of followers on the struggle of Italian Americans ? Or does he believe that it will be the same as in other cultures where there is an abundance but no one takes advantage of it?
I really enjoyed Fred Gardaphe’s lecture. I am very happy that we were able to have him as a guest speaker. He was very enjoyable to listen to. His lecture really linked real life experience to the books that we read. He was able to give us background information on the authors of the books we studied since he knew them. This really brought the books to life and made them feel more personal because Fred Gardaphe linked them to his real life experiences. He was very open and honest and was very interested in hearing and answering our questions.
ReplyDeleteFred Gardaphe said in his lecture that an Italian American phrase was that in order to become an American you would have to become a non-Italian. Based on the class materials do we see the Italian's who immigrate to America becoming less Italian to fit in and become Americans?
Fred Gardaphe's lecture was really interesting and informative. Although it seemed somewhat repetitive of his essay at certain points, he really elaborated about his past and the information he provided on the novels that we have read was excellent. Gardaphe also had an abundant amount of knowledge on each author we have covered so far, particularly Di Donato.
ReplyDeleteGardaphe stated in his lecture that he expects a renaissance of Italian-American literature to take place in the future. What are your thoughts on the notion of Italian-American literature? Why do you think it receives less attention compared to other forms of literature? Based on Gardaphe’s prediction, what factors do you think would contribute to a renaissance of Italian-American literature?
Gardaphe's lecture was very inspiring. I think he spoke well and gave really well thought out answers to each of our questions. I liked that he did not hold back at all, he spoke about everything and seemed very comfortable in doing so. Gardaphe began his talk by describing how unimportant books were during his childhood and how he hid his intellect from others. I think it is amazing that Gardaphe was able to find himself through literature and become a successful writer.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the difference between irony and irony deficiency? Find an example of each in any of the pieces we have read or watched.
I really enjoyed Fred Gardaphe’s lecture last Wednesday. He told us a lot of interesting stories about his life and his accomplishments. For instance, he elaborated on the infamous restaurant story that he talked about in his essay. He talked about the struggle of finding his Italian/American identity. He also had a great sense of humor, but the most important thing is that he was very humble. Although, he is very well known for doing great things for Italian/American literature, he doesn’t act like he is better than everyone else. He was very down to earth. He was willing to divulge details about his personal experiences with the mafia, and I admire his courage. I found the lecture to be very impressive.
ReplyDeleteHow can the Italian/American courses and programs that have been established (Mainly with the influence of Fred Gardaphe), really help us understand the history of America?
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ReplyDeleteI was very excited when Fred Gardaphe came to visit our class on wednesday. I was amazed to see such an intelligent person speak about his life lesson. The topic that caught my attention the most was about how his Grandfather and his father were murdured. Even though Fred did not emphasize much about how they were murdered, he gave the class an indirect cue that, both were dealing with the black hand(mafia). In my opinion there were many unanswered questions about his Grandfather and his father. I wanted to know more about why they were killed and even how. however I dont think that would have been a proper question to ask. Overall I enjoyed every bit of Fred's lecture especially when he talked about when he had to run in to the libray so they could not find him. He added alot of humor to his lecture as he went along. I understand how important Italian American history is and also for these writers to print their struggles on paper.
ReplyDeleteHow does our litertures read in class compare to Gardaphe's essay?
Gardaphe was a very enjoyable lecturer. He is definitely a top authority in the Italian American literary movement. He is extremely knowledgeable about all of the novels/ silent movies we have seen thus far and those we will read. The information he shared on the authors D’Angelo and Di Donato helped me understand the novels more and their intent. I enjoyed that he was willing to answer all of our questions on his personal life and affiliation with the mafia. It made his essay clearer and answered the questions that I had while I read it. It was interesting to hear that popularizing Italian American writing involves going out to the community more than spreading it through academia.
ReplyDeleteHow has the portrayal of Italians in America changed over time, as seen through the movies and novels we have seen and read throughout the semester?
I though that Fred Gardaphe letcure was good. Fred seemed very relaxed in front of everyone. i liked how he want to answer everyone question in the class. i think that Fred must have wrote the essay that we read for class some time ago because he had to think about what he had wrote for a seconded. i must say very well spoken and had no real pauses when he spoke as well. i think if he could have kept going he would have. Fred bring a good argument to the table aboyt Italian American literature. i think if many people met him they would be willing to give his writing a try.
ReplyDeleteFrom the reading Son of Italy and christ in concrete link them to Fred Gardaphe essay and how they could start an italian renaissance of literature
Fred Gardaphe's lecture was very impressive.
ReplyDeleteThrough all the effort he put into researching Italian American literature, his superior work will be very influential to other Italilan American Authours.I think his appriciated work will keep developing Italian American literature. In his lecture, it was very interesting to hear his experiences when he tried to research about Italian American literature and they were very inspiring. Even though he has a succesful career now, he sometime had to struggle with the work that he wanted to do for instance, getting C on his research and realzing speaking dialect in Italian so he studied proper Italian over again and etc. I think his passion toward to ITAM literature and the effort he put into for it made him to be who he is now. I was very motivated not to give up things that I am really passion about thogh they are many hardships that I have to go though.
As Fred Gardaphe was awakend and inspired to work in Italian American literatre by idea that literature can mirror life of Italian and it can take you beyond the mirror, do you think son of Italy, Christ in concrete and films we watched in our class really mirror Italian American's life back in old day? Do you agree with them? Explain it in detail.
I thoroughly enjoyed Professor Gardaphe's lecture last Wednesday. He is a very animated, down to earth, and extremely fascinating person. It actually did not feel like a lecture; it was more of sharing life experiences and inspiring students to enrich their lives. I really respected his journey and accomplishments and he has certainly come a long way from being a kid in a mafia dominated neighborhood. Professor Gardaphe has made great strides in popularizing Italian literature in a the scholastic realm which is a very admirable achievement.
ReplyDeleteDuring his lecture, Prof. Gardaphe said that "literature can mirror life and take you beyond the mirror"...how would you interpret this statement? How can you relate it to the works that we have read thus far in class?
I think Mr Gardaphe's lecture allowed me to associate the literature we have read with a face. I enjoyed the way he took us through different highlite points in his life. We got a sense for the Italian American writters D'angelo and DiDonato and their struggle in the early 20th century. I believe Mr Gradaphe is just continueing a path that they started to pave.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you believe you have gained from reading Italian American literature and how does it differ from the traditional American literature?
Mr Gardaphe's lecture was great. He was quite captivating. I was impressed with all the Italian American writers he mentioned to have been in the company of at one time or another. I was very impressed with the fact that he left the stereotypical Italian American life to peruse his interest in writing. What i like even more is that although he left the life, he still allowed himself to elaborate on the stereotype through his writings and teachings. He had mentioned that he teaches not only Mafia movies but also movies like Fasto by Anne Bancroft. That is one of my all time favorite movies. It shows the life of an Italian American family all living under the same roof, working together at a family card store, and always there for one another. I find it to be a hysterical movie because it has a lot of true to life scenarios that my family relates to. It's great that Gardaphe shows both sides of the Italian American's identity.
ReplyDeleteNow having read Italian American literature, has your identity or thoughts of being/knowing an Italian American changed in any way? If so how.
Mr. Gardaphe's lecture was very enjoyable. I felt that hearing about his personal experiences brought clarity to some of the issues in the literature we are reading. It is one thing to read the words of some abstract figure we've never met, but another to sit face to face and hear about someone's life.
ReplyDeleteConsidering all of the literature we have read and the films we have seen in this class, how would you best describe the transition of the immigrant? What do you think happened between Pascal D'Angelo and Beppo to Don Corleone and Mary DiNunzio?Consider the term "assimilation" and how that shaped the change in these characters.
Gardaphe’s lecture was great. It was very beneficial to the class to be able to interact with someone whose work we have read. It gave me a much better understanding of his essay and I liked the background information he gave us on the authors we have read. It was also inspiring to see that he has started a successful publishing company to promote Italian American authors. He is obviously very passionate on the subject so it is great that he will continue to spread the word and share that passion with others.
ReplyDeleteDo you think mafia heavy representations of Italian American culture such as The Godfather are exploitive and how so? Or does it simply show a singular aspect of Italian American culture as Christ in Concrete and Son of Italy focused mainly on the immigrant struggle. Do you think the mafia stereotype is so predominant because The Godfather is so successful? What would the stereotype be for Italian Americans if Christ in Concrete where the more popular novel and the Godfather was forgotten?
It was a nice change of pace having Fred Gardaphe lecture in our class. I found it interesting that he had to pretend to be stupid, otherwise, it would seem that you were above the neighborhood. I found it surprising that he wouldn't just write the book originally like he wanted to and instead did research to see if had already been done.
ReplyDeleteAs Fred Gardaphe mentioned, "Son of Italy" is about isolation, whereas, "Christ in Concrete" is focused more on community. Using examples from the books, show these themes are depicted.
Fred Gardaphe has written extensively. There are a number of books with his name on the Bordighera website. As I am updating the website I can see the different topics, subjects, etc. I find his upbringing in the Italian neighborhood to be interesting and similar to my experience. The family history he has is astounding. He has the authority to write about such things, to talk of such things. You can see as he spoke of his life that he strove to establish his identity, by going to Italy, "re-learning" Italian, etc.
ReplyDeleteWhat would you say is the strongest theme throughout Italian American literature and film of the 20th century? Explain why.