Laura Wittman, who received her Ph.D. in Italian Language and Literature from Yale University, discusses Michel Tournier's 'Friday'. They explore the connection between literature and life, Tournier's rewriting of Robinson Crusoe, the stages of 'Friday', evading reality on the island, and their enthusiasm for the novel.
The novel Friday explores the protagonist's journey from isolation to connection with the natural world and the transformative power of embracing one's surroundings.
The novel highlights the influence of non-Western cultures on Western society, emphasizing the need for a greater appreciation of nature and the challenges faced by non-Westerners in Western societies.
Deep dives
Robinson's journey from solitude to connection
In this podcast episode, the novel Friday is discussed as a retelling of the Robinson Crusoe story. The main theme explored in the novel is the journey of the protagonist, Robinson, from a state of solitude to a deep connection with the natural world. Robinson initially tries to recreate the world he left behind by imposing order and cultivating the island. However, through his encounter with Friday, he learns to embrace his surroundings and appreciate the elemental aspects of life. Friday's laughter and his symbolic actions guide Robinson to a new understanding of death and rebirth. Ultimately, Robinson's journey allows him to find intimacy with the living world and a sense of wonder.
The reversal of colonization and the significance of Friday's departure
The novel also addresses the reverse colonization and the influence of non-Western cultures on Western society. Through his relationship with Friday, Robinson learns that Western culture has often prioritized ordering and separating individuals from nature. The novel suggests that connections with non-Western cultures can help modify Western attitudes towards nature and foster a greater appreciation for the sacredness of the natural world. When Friday departs the island after the arrival of a Western ship, it points to the lure and seduction of Western technology and gadgetry, calling attention to the challenges faced by non-Westerners in Western societies.
The themes and symbolism in the novel Friday
Friday reflects on themes that are consistent throughout Michel Tournier's works. These themes include the re-sacrallization of the natural world, the connection between humans and the elements, and the exploration of the self in relation to nature. The novel utilizes symbolism to convey these ideas, such as the melding of Robinson with the island's mud, the transformation of earth into air through Friday's actions, and the symbolic understanding of sexuality as a form of soft jubilation. The unexpected ending of the novel reinforces the transformative journey Robinson has undergone and highlights the significance of Friday's presence and departure.
Laura Whitman's courses on poetry, theater, and Italian cinema
In addition to discussing the novel Friday, Laura Whitman shares the courses she will be teaching, including a course on poetry and politics in French and Italian literature, a course on the theater of the absurd, and a course on Italian cinema. These courses explore various aspects of cultural expression and provide students with opportunities to delve into the connection between art, politics, and society.
Laura Wittman received her Ph.D. in 2001 from Yale University where she completed her dissertation in the Department of Italian Language and Literature. The title of her dissertation is “Mystics Without God: Spirituality and Form in Italian and French Modernism,” an analysis of the historical and intellectual context for the self-descriptive use of the term […]
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