Come on, People!

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Clarissa

July 22, 2014

What, nobody will even try to guess? It’s a classic of American literature. Every day I see at least one student reading it. It’s the most popular book on campus after The Game of Thrones. It was recommended to me right here on the blog as a book that anybody who is even remotely interested in the United States has to read.

In case anybody is too literally minded, the book is not about Jews at all. But the part about women is quoted pretty much verbatim.

The non-Americans probably have no idea but Americans should know.

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7 responses to “Come on, People!”

Elizabeth

July 22, 2014

It sounds intellectually comparable to Catcher in the Rye….

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Shakti

July 22, 2014

I’m stumped. When I think of pointless aimless American classics with misogyny that kids like I think of On the Road.
I know that’s not it, but I hate that misogynistic travelogue so much I would gladly hurl it across the room. Again.

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Stringer Bell

July 22, 2014

Something by Philip Roth?

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el

July 23, 2014

Mentioning every antisemitic stereotype for “humour” reminds me of you criticizing bloggers who mention every misogynic stereotype as part of “defending women.” Didn’t find the excerpt funny at all. Btw, how can your students not know who Jews are, if they read such books? Guess learning antisemitic stereotypes is part of their education. It’s not against you. I simply think learning via such humor can backfire and readers can learn what antisemitic things to think in earnest. Generally, without connection to Jews, I may love humorous books , but of a different style.

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1. Clarissa
  
  July 23, 2014
  
  “Mentioning every antisemitic stereotype for “humour” reminds me of you criticizing bloggers who mention every misogynic stereotype as part of “defending women.”
  
  – The difference is that those bloggers are dead serious when they do it. I’m obviously not.
  
  “Mentioning every antisemitic stereotype for “humour” reminds me of you criticizing bloggers who mention every misogynic stereotype as part of “defending women.” Didn’t find the excerpt funny at all. Btw, how can your students not know who Jews are, if they read such books?”
  
  – The book in question is not about the Jews, of course.
  
  “Generally, without connection to Jews, I may love humorous books , but of a different style.”
  
  – It’s not a humorous book. It’s dead serious. That’s what is so mind-boggling about it to me.
  
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maria

July 23, 2014

The Great Gatsby? I see students reading it on campus. Rumor has it that the book was originally conceived as a Jewish “passing” story with Jay Gatz hiding his background. The character of Wolfsheim, though, reinforces every awful stereotype.

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Good Enough Professor

July 23, 2014

Stumped but curious.

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