Saturday, June 7, 2008
Final Review: Still Alive
Kluger criticizses Jewish customs and culture by calling the tradition of Kaddish is 'ridiculous.' The Kaddish is only performed by men, who say prayers to the dead. She also shows a criticism through her friend, who ask: "who is keeping you from saying any prayer you please?" Her grandfather jokes about how having no sons, the (male) dog is the only one who can say a kaddish for him when he is gone. By restricting the right to observe the dead, the Jewish tradition of kaddish differs from the world in Sophocles. As shown in Antigone, it is every person's job to respect the dead.
Final Review: Still Alive
For Kluger, her memories are not connected to anyones besides the Germans she feels have destroyed much of what they have. When she visited friends in Germany, the subject of their talk ends up on claustrophobia. While the company talks about their confrontation with the subject, like childhood air-raids and elevator problems, Kluger keeps silent about her confrontation with claustrophobia at Auschwitz. For Kluger, she realizes that had she said anything, the rest of the company would have been "bothered, troubled, sympathetic, and thoroughly uncomfortable." They would have resented her for being a spoilsport. The reason why she feels socially awkward is because her situation is more severe then the rest of the people around her, and because of the gravity of it, they would end the conversation about the subject because their situations are in no way close to hers: an elevator is no way comparable to what Kluger felt in Auschwitz. There is no connection between what she went through to these people. The only people who would understand are the Germans who she says has a common language and culture as her because they both went through it, although from different sides.
Final Review: Asian Music
Bally's new music style can only be described through his own words: "it's new, it's exciting, it's refreshing and people are sick of hearing the same old crap over and over again. " He believes that his use of both traditional music and Western music is the way to "open Asian styles out into the Western market and out to the world masses - because some people don't like traditional music, some people do like traditional music, and vice versa. " Bally created a new style, and by doing so, you have "hundreds of styles for every kind of listener," The impact he has is having parents tell him that their "sons and daughters are listening to some Asian music, because before they didn't." Bally reasons that "like most of the Western youth, Asian kids brought up here also wanted the punch, racy basslines, the great drum beat and the powerful female vocals coming across."
Final Review: Retro-Nationalism...
Simpson distinguishes retro-nationalism from nostalgia by defining retro-nationalism as articulating a critique of contemporary German-German society that cannot be explained away by invoking sentiment and/or retrograde politics, where as nostalgia is the uncritical longing for the past. She distinguishes the two by saying that retro-nationalism cannot be subsumed into the emotionalized model of nostalgia.
Final Review: Vinayak and Me
When released from prison, Savarkar joined the All-India Hindu Mahasabha group, and served as President from 1937, the year he was released from prison, til 1944. The platform that helped him come in power is his belief: 'Hinduized Politics and Militarize Hindudom.' While in prison, Savarkar wrote extensively on issues against British authorities. He is known as a nationalist, anti-Muslim, and also through his patriotic actions in India and Britain for Indian independence from colonial rule.
Final Review: Vinyak and Me
Savarkar was arrested in London on March 13, 1910, and was released in 1937, having spend 27 years in prison. He was arrested on five separate charges that included 'delivering seditious speeches,' 'procuring and distributing arms,' and 'waging war against the King Emperor of India.' He was 'extradited to India, and convicted of seditious activities" which caused him to be initially sentenced to fifty years in prison in Port Blair, located in the Andaman Islands. He was later transferred to Ratnagin because of his health and finally released in 1937.
Final Review: Savarkar
Savarkar's problem with English historians is that "their prejudiced eye could not or would not see the root principle of the Revolution." Savarkar writes that these historians have many misleading and unjust ideas about the Revolutionary War in India in 1857. This is because English historians have always ignored truth - "it is against their interests to admit the truth." Savarkar argues that the English spread rumors about the war, which caused an Indian writer to spread the idea, who Savarkar claims to be inspired by "English history and English money." And because of this, people started believing this, and soon, "like a procession of blind men, a company of inconsiderate fools arose, and rebellion broke out." Savarkar believes that if one had read the work of English historian closely and think about the matter, they would too see how ridiculous the work of these historians are.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Final Review: Savakar
2. (196) Why has Savarkar written this book?
Savakar’s response is to the British colonialism and the Indian War of Independence in 1857. It was his belief that this war “crossed the limits of current politics and can be regulated to the realms of history” and therefore he comprised his book in order to acknowledge Indian history and its greatness. In order to understand current aspects of life one must remember their past and one way to do this is through nationalism. Ultimately he writes this in order “to express such a patriotic and yet faithful, a more detailed and yet coherent, history of 1987” that has come from someone that has much pride and dedication towards India. In order to further express his dedication towards nationalism he originally wrote it in Indian vernacular. Indeed Savakar believed in the idea of knowing one’s roots, or where one came from and in order to do this one must be dedicated to India by fulling rejecting other cultures, such as Brtitians and Muslims.
Final Review: Vinayak and Me
10. (224) Which text influences Dr. Parchure in naming boys?
His desire in naming boys was outlined in the text written by Savakar— Hindutva where he explains the ideology of “what is a name?” and “how they are given”. Here Savakar focuses on issues of the etymology of Hindu and Hindustan “in order to promote a genealogy of names connecting Hindus and Hindustan with India and Indians. The representation of a name is very important indeed as discussed in class that a name has” two states of consciousness then alow[s] an easy flow of thoughts fro one to the other of see, till at last it seems impossible to separate them” (224). Here Savakar critiques that a name is a representation of the self, in that a person should be named according to the personality of a person because the name itself is a description of a person. In contrast, the name given to someone is also a reflection of the and what the person should represent. For instance, Dr. Parchure’s obsession with naming children is done in order to help promote nationalism. For the name Vinayak, many people thought it was a representation of the god Ganesh—“who was auspicious deity celebrated as the remover of obstacles” (213). This should be a reflection of the man Vinayak however was a name that was supposed to promote nationalism, and the celebration of Savakar Vinayak.
Final Review: Vinayak and Me
7. (221) What does Savarkar argue in his essay entitled, “A woman’s beauty and duty?”
In order to help promote Hindu nationalism, Savakar took a very traditional point of views towards women’s roles by emphasizing the amount of weakness a woman possessed in comparison to a man. In terms of masculinity, men were expected to be physically strong as indicated in Dr. Parchure’s experience as a wrestler and promotion of violence as seen in his physical abuse towards his wife. The main concern for women, however, was to fulfill the primary duty of keeping the home, having children, and promotion of nationalism. In order to do so women were encouraged to be educated, in the sense that they would learn how to be rained in areas that allowed them to teach their children how to promote a nation. If a woman were to be educated in order to help self empower herself in terms of being educated for understanding more about the world around her, subjects that went against nationalism. This was seen as morally wrong. In addition, women were taught to help promote traditional roles, as said in lecture (I think) would include spinning for fabric.
Exam Study Questions

Savarkar, Indian War of Independence: 1, 2, 3, 9, 10, 11 & DQ 1, 2, 7
Ranchod Vira, letter: 1, 4, 7, 11, 12
"Vinyak and Me": 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10 & DQ 2, 3, 6
Ruth Kluger, Still Alive: 2, 4, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 20, 23, 25 & DQ 1, 2, 3
Simpson, "Retro-nationalism...": 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 & DQ 2, 3
Asian Music: 7, 8, 11, 12 & DQ 1, 4, 5, 7, 8
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Exam Instructions
Please choose 6 of the following 8 short answer questions and answer them in 3-5 sentences. Make sure to define, identify, and contextualize the question in terms of the texts from the course. Be sure to use examples from relevant texts in order to offer evidence for your answer and to more fully develop and articulate your ideas.
Part II: Passage Analysis (25%)
Identify and analyze the following passage. Be sure to situate the passage within the text from which it comes and to define and elaborate on the terms and concepts it introduces. Consider its literary and rhetorical aspects, in addition to what it claims or describes. Finally, make sure to relate your interpretation of the passage to the overall themes and purposes of the text. A good answer will give a clear and detailed reading of the passage as a unit, as part of a larger work, and as part of the course.
Part III: Essay (25%)
In a well developed, insightful essay, please answer one of the following two essay questions. You should offer an introductory paragraph with a thesis claim (which answers all parts of the question). Then offer supporting paragraphs, each with evidence from texts, support, and explanation. Make sure to be as detailed and descriptive as you can when you offer your analysis and interpretation. Be sure to elaborate on differences and similarities in the texts you choose to discuss.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Asian Music Response
Study Questions to Help Review for the Final
What is swaraj? Is there only one definition of swaraj?
In the list of study questions provided, this pair of questions is accompanied by the page numbers 29-29, which are part of the chapter entitled "What is Swaraj?". A passage on page 29, written/spoken from the Editor's (Gandhi's) point of view, reads:
"There is need for patience. My views will develop of themselves in the course of this discourse. It is difficult for me to understand the true nature of Swaraj as it seems to you to be easy. I shall, therefore, for the time being, content myself with endeavouring to show that what you call Swaraj is not truly Swaraj."
From what the Editor says, you can tell that there is no single definition of swaraj. The chapter, instead of answering the question directly, gives a debate in which the Editor critiques typical assumptions of what swaraj is. The reader wants to drive away the English immediately; Gandhi does not agree that this is the most effective solution, especially if the Indian people intend to maintain the English institutions or "ways" for themselves, which is where Gandhi believes the real problem lies.
One way to start finding out what swaraj means is by taking apart its etymology.
Swa = "self" (Gandhi translates it into "home.")
Raj = "rule"
Go to the lecture notes posted on the Hum Core main website to see how Professor Chaturvedi "mixes and matches" with the etymology of swaraj: https://eee.uci.edu/programs/humcore/Student/Spring2008/LectureNotes/LNWk4-1_GandhiLecture1_S08.htm
Savarkar
What is Savarkar’s problem with Indian historians?
Simpson
Why is “FDJ punk” an insult?
Go to page 256 of the Humanities Core Course reader to help answer this question.
passage analysis sample
Why pankow thought letter would help?
Which “text”/song?
What was the performance that was so objectionable/threatening (in contrast to dialog)?
What the song says?
1. Relate to similar ideas from whole text: localizing the passage. Situating or Identifying the passage. Narrative moment.
2. bringing passage in relation to other themes in the text as a whole.
3. pulling out specific details to analyze:
4. relating to different passages.
5. relating to themes of making/doing/thinking more generally.
Re-mixing Identities
ADF
Re-Mixing Identities
Like Sharilyn, I’m going to be focusing on the gender inequality seen in the British Asian music scene in the 1980s. I thought it was very interesting that Ranjit served as a pioneer for female DJs in the 1980s, even though she herself was still very young. She brought up the fact that she was hassled by the hundreds of men in the hall and that because she was one of the few females, they assumed that she ran “away from home” or that she was a “loose woman” (271). I admire Kaur for challenging the status quo and continuing to go to clubs and spin music, even though it was clear many of the attendees felt it was not her place and assumed that she was simply accompanying a boyfriend who DJed. I was also somewhat surprised by her mother and grandmother’s response to her career choice because I expected them, being from the old world, to object vehemently. However, to my surprise, her mother even assisted her in bookings and her grandmother did not object. I believe that part of Ranjit’s ability to help progress gender roles was because of her maternal figures (her mother and grandmother) and the fact that they helped, rather than hindered, her efforts.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Radical Sista
Re-Mixing Identities
Revision Guidelines
2)--Each topic sentence should be a mini-thesis, or your argument for that entire paragraph. Topic sentences and concluding sentences should not use quotes because those are places where you should focus on your argument, making clear to the reader what your position is. Introductions and Conclusions generally do not benefit from quotations either.
3)--Each quote should have at least 2-3 sentences of analysis.
4) --Before you use a quote in a paragraph, ask yourself: what am I arguing about this quote? Does it help to advance my thesis either by setting up a claim that I will complicate or that I will disagree with? Have an idea of what you are arguing about the quote before you use it, and make sure that your analysis explains how this quote provides proof for your larger thesis statement.
5) Check your own essay against the Grading Rubric. Use it as a checklist. Does your paper go beyond the obvious? Scrutinize your paper against all of the categories for the rubric.
note of thanks: revision guidelines taken from Christine Connell.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Re Mixing Identites article
Re-Mixing Identities
Re-Mixing identities article
After reading the article I found it particularly in the message that Bhangra brings which according to Bally was a “flavor of ‘east and west’ in a heavy way” (270). I think that this is another example of the American melting pot, but specified the component of music. Similarly other cultures have tried to cope with the identification of their culture in a mixed society. Take for instance the word “Chicano”, or another word for Mexican American. To many this word might just be another word, but to the Mexican American community it has a special meaning that they created which is the marriage between American culture and Mexican American. This in relation to the article signifies how some cultures try to bring out their own cultural identity in cultural melting pot—the United States. Not only this but I thought it was interesting that even though in America, the land of opportunity and free thinking that there are some people that still are not able to accept cultural diversity. In an example, in the article one of Bally and Ranjit’s main goals were to make the charts in a western society, however there were limited opportunities to do this because radio stations refused to play their music. Even within the households, their parents “were trying to shelter [them] from too much westernization” (275). Even though America may be the land of the free and the home of the brave there are still barriers that are not willing to accept this integration of cultural ideas because it is seen as “different”. I believe the Beatles say [no bias of course!] “come together right now, over me”.
Final Exam Terms
- Short Answer (50%). Choose 6 of 8.
- Passage Analysis (25%). Given one passage.
- Essay (25%). Choose 1 of 2.
Savarkar
Gandhi/counterargument--Indian War of Independence--translation from Marathi--publication details (vs. Hind Swaraj)--swaraj/swardharma--Empire--Muslim/Hindu Unity--Savarkar's shifting position on Hindu Unity--imprisonment--Savarkar's pathos--mutiny vs. rebellion--accidental/temporary causes--real causes--counterpublic--Abhinav Bharat Society (Young India Society)
Ranchod Vira letter
circulation--intellectual labor of peasants--"Government"--Era of Truth--historicist's labor
"Vinyak and Me"
Ganesh--Upenda Parchure--Dr. Parchure--masculinity--wrestling--"Hinduize Politics, Militarize Hinduism--Godse--"Woman's Beauty and Duty"--Hindutva: "Who is a Hindu?"--India Nationalism--naming
Ruth Kluger, Still Alive
Vienna, Austria--Anschluss--autobiography--child's view (secret of death/sex)--"without pathos"--Nuremberg Laws--Snow White analogy--Nazi propaganda--Adorno: "To write poetry after Auschwitz is barbaric"--role of mother--memory--schorschi and transport--father--monuments/museum culture--Therisienstadt--Auschwitz--Good Deed--redemption--double world--moral predicament (ambivalence)--art/catharsis/sublimation--resistance--liberation, problems with--truth--uprootedness/refugees/DPs--humanity/crimes against humanity--sentimentality--masculinity/gender--Holocaust "named"--courage/cowardice--humor
Simpson, "Retro-Nationalism"
compliance/defiance--Stasi--GDR--IM--FDJ--retro-nationalsim--Ostalgie--Amiga--Pankow--Feeling B--Die Skeptiker--taboo--the wall--problem of expression: why would it be worth it to forego personal expression?
Housee & Dar, "Re-Mixing Identities"; Rockwell, "The Asian Roots of Asian Massive"; Brady, "Quick Guide to Asian Fusion"
remixing--Radical Sista (Ranjit)--Bally Sagoo--traditional film music--Bhangra--"westernize"--Karsh Kale (Asian Massive)--Asian Underground--ADF education--Free Satpal Ram--racism--fascism--Asian/Black community--Hip Hop