Welcome to the LSU Think Transatlantic Blog. This blog is designed to reflect on discussions and presentations taking place on the campus of LSU on Friday, November 9, 2012. We hope this venue will provide an ongoing discussion between students, faculty, and presenters participating in this conference.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
We take "Think Transatlantic!" seriously and you let us know where this leads you. We'd love to hear what participants think about our symposium. Did anything inspire you? Did it open a new perspective? Share your thoughts.
Dr. David Culbert's lecture on The Best Years of Our Lives is a great springboard from which to dive into the movie. From studying German at LSU to having a love for historical fiction in all forms of literature, I was excited to hear his commentary on the film and now cannot wait to watch it and deepen my understanding of a great lecture, what I hear to be a great movie, and transatlantic relationships. Thanks to everyone involved with "Think Transatlantic!"
I got the privilege of attending Dr. Paul Michael Luetzeler's lecture on how the transatlantic relationship between the United State and Europe have shaped literature throughout time. I was interested in learning how some of my favorite authors such as F. Scott Fitzgerald and John Steinbeck got inspiration for their novels, mainly Europe's influence on the content of their writings. It was interesting to see how much both Europe and North America had on one another, both directly and in the thoughts and ways of life of the people experiencing various struggles each decade presented with itself. Dr. Luetzeler mentioned the importance travel has played in the formation of transatlantic relations, especially living abroad. Those getting away from the US and living in Europe could think and write, about their countries more freely, and vice versa. He explored how such knowledge helped the United States form its own identity,separate from, yet influenced by, that of Europe. The highlight of the strain on personal relationships between individuals in transatlantic personal relationships was also highlighted.Each part of the world in the transatlantic partnership could evaluate its own faults and strengths based on traditions, ways of life, literature, art and culture of each other. This eventually lead to the dismantling of the idealistic "American Dream" and a reshaping of society as well as the literary culture.
Over all, this was a very informative lecture that really highlighted the different nuances of various aspects of life and literature affected by transatlantic relationships. The symposium made me consider transatlantic relationships and the different aspects of lives and the arts they impact.
Dr. David Culbert's lecture on The Best Years of Our Lives is a great springboard from which to dive into the movie. From studying German at LSU to having a love for historical fiction in all forms of literature, I was excited to hear his commentary on the film and now cannot wait to watch it and deepen my understanding of a great lecture, what I hear to be a great movie, and transatlantic relationships. Thanks to everyone involved with "Think Transatlantic!"
ReplyDeleteI got the privilege of attending Dr. Paul Michael Luetzeler's lecture on how the transatlantic relationship between the United State and Europe have shaped literature throughout time. I was interested in learning how some of my favorite authors such as F. Scott Fitzgerald and John Steinbeck got inspiration for their novels, mainly Europe's influence on the content of their writings. It was interesting to see how much both Europe and North America had on one another, both directly and in the thoughts and ways of life of the people experiencing various struggles each decade presented with itself. Dr. Luetzeler mentioned the importance travel has played in the formation of transatlantic relations, especially living abroad. Those getting away from the US and living in Europe could think and write, about their countries more freely, and vice versa. He explored how such knowledge helped the United States form its own identity,separate from, yet influenced by, that of Europe. The highlight of the strain on personal relationships between individuals in transatlantic personal relationships was also highlighted.Each part of the world in the transatlantic partnership could evaluate its own faults and strengths based on traditions, ways of life, literature, art and culture of each other. This eventually lead to the dismantling of the idealistic "American Dream" and a reshaping of society as well as the literary culture.
ReplyDeleteOver all, this was a very informative lecture that really highlighted the different nuances of various aspects of life and literature affected by transatlantic relationships. The symposium made me consider transatlantic relationships and the different aspects of lives and the arts they impact.