Possible to still build bridges? – Alienation in family life in two American Novels

Sandra von der Reith

• Veranstaltungsart: Seminar
• Veranstaltungsnr.: 01.035
• Termin: Di 10:00 bis 11:30 Uhr
  21.04., 05.05., 19.05., 02.06., 16.06., 30.06.2026
• Veranstaltungsort: ZFW, Jungiusstr. 9, Raum 218
• Unterrichtssprache: Englisch

Ziele / Inhalte / Arbeitsweisen:

Both novels have their catastrophe already in the title: Celeste Ng’s novel Little Fires Everywhere begins with a fire, and Rick Moody's Ice Storm ends with just that. But the two novels have much more in common: Set in the 1970s, Moody's novel features two families, the Hoods and the Williamsons, who come face to face with the seething emotions behind the well-clipped lawns of their lives. Set in the 1990s, Little Fires Everywhere also focuses on two families: In affluent Skater Heights, everything seems to be going smoothly, especially for Elena Richardson and her family, who are very concerned with appearances, but with the arrival of single mother Mia Warren and her daughter Pearl, the facades quickly crumble.

In this seminar, both novels will be examined, particularly with regard to the relationships between the two families, which act as catalysts, bringing to light the speechless alienation within the individual families. 

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