- (For David Coogan) “When you started this project, did you have some sort of ideal end goal, and if so did you reach that goal?
- (For the other writers) “Why did you decide to join this project at its inception?”
- (For the other writers) “Did you ever feel like you wanted to leave the project?” (For Dr Coogan) “What did you do to try and ensure the writers stayed with the project?”
Month: September 2023 Page 8 of 14
- (To David) Why did you choose to organize the book the way you did? What was the meaning behind whose story went first, second, last, etc.?
- (To the writers) Did writing these stories together help you guys bond outside of the classroom? And if so, how did your relationship change throughout the course of the class?
In preparation for class today we created a quote compost heap for one person’s story we were most intrigued by.
We then began class by reading a poem and closing our eyes. Our goal was to visualize the words of the poem as we listened. This visualization helped us to connect the words of the poem to our memory and create a deeper meaning behind the poem.
We talked about the comparison between compost and fire. Decomposition takes time but eventually, the result of the process is useful soil. Fire is the same concept, breaking things down and ultimately creating new life. The only difference is that fire is quick while decomposition takes time.
Will made a good point about how decomposition is proof of there being no absolutes in life besides death. All of the things in the compost came from different places but all ended up decomposing in the same place. However, this idea of death is not negative, but rather positive since it gives way to new life.
Angelos also made a good point about how we are similar to compost in the sense that we are comprised of many different things, such as our experiences, relationships, families, etc., and the combination of all these factors forms us as a person.
We also talked about the different components of an essay including the introduction, thesis, body paragraphs, and conclusion. We went into more detail about the thesis and how our evidence throughout our body paragraphs should all tie back to the thesis.
We then paired up and discussed the compost heaps we created about the character of our choice to compare similarities between the different characters or maybe common themes.
We ended class by briefly covering the plan for meeting with Dr. Coogan and Kelvin.
Source: Group Discussion Prep Note (Dr. Coogan)
- How has the prison literature class progressed since the book came out?
- How has his story progressed since the end of the book?
Character Analyzed: Stanley Craddock
Major Themes: Identity, Faith, Control, Abandonment
Task: Choose one quote to start with, and write a paragraph in which you analyze the language in the quote, looking for metaphors, resonance and meaning. What is happening in that quote? Do this for several more quotes. Do you see a pattern? What are you learning about how the writer is creating meaning?
Quotes:
- Chapter 1
- “Everyone laughs when a new man come through quartermaster here… We all were. You just forgot!” (14)
- Although not necessarily integral in terms of language or analysis, in terms of understanding Stan at his current point in which the project starts, it is important to understand: He initially does not believe Doctor Coogan is doing it out of the goodness of his heart (asks earlier in Chapter about motives), but he is one of the first to embrace the project in a sense.
- “My story starts in Egypt… I remember all that I’m not supposed to remember…” (18-19)
- As discussed in the previous class, Stan uses a fair amount of allusions as well as metaphors, especially those pertaining to the Bible. His faith is a defining attribute from the start of his story, but the real question dives deeper into how he arrived here. Naji is often the most iconic when we think of religious elements or presence in the book, but Stan’s story has much to be told. The author is constructing an element of love present.
- “You’re asking us to write about our lives, who we’ve been and who we want to be. Right?… I don’t know my birthday… I don’t have an identity!”
- This interesting component instantly introduces us to the struggles that become part of Stanley’s story- his adoption, which likely is accompanied (generally) by fears of abandonment and other features that might have landed him in his lifestyle. His lack of identity, and how even at the start of the project, he is looking for it.
- “Everyone laughs when a new man come through quartermaster here… We all were. You just forgot!” (14)
- CRY – LOST SEVERAL MORE QUOTES
For Thursday’s lesson, I prepared by focusing on a specific character that was particularly interesting and motivated me to delve more into his story. Nanji had one of the most significant personal changes during his lifetime with his ideology and approach in life being shifted during his time in prison.
Throughout Nanji’s story, some common themes were highlighted that convey bigger ideas about life. Firstly, the common theme of identity was challenged through his struggles of questioning himself. Under the umbrella of identity, many other aspects come into play including religion and race. Nanji communicates the broader concept of religion as an incentive for change and as a supporting mechanism. Race is perceived as a characteristic that goes beyond skin color being a shaping element of his character development. Finally, a driving force for positive change in his lifestyle and personality is the connection with family through the characters of his wife, daughter even her grandma, empowering the concept of transmissive love.
In preparation for Tuesday’s class visit, everyone split into groups to discuss and analyze the roles of some characters as well as the significance of their stories. We also formed questions that would be important to ask the book contributors when they came into class.
As stated by Kaylee, men throughout the book thought of women in two different perspectives. We discussed how men treat their mothers with respect and love while they treat other women in the book as sexual figures. A primary reason for this is because of the sense of purpose and belonging that these men feel between themselves and their mothers. With a majority of them having a poor father figure, their moms symbolize strength and stability in their lives. As for the miscellaneous women throughout the book, these men look at them with lust and not the qualities that they see from their mothers. The men don’t believe any other women can replace the mold of their mother.
Dr. Coogan:
- What does he become to them? A character witness, a sponsor, a connection to the outside, a way of connecting to themselves? There’s a note that some people are followers, and when they’re together, they follow him.
The best way to describe Dr. Coogan is as the light at the end of the tunnel. For many of these men, they grew up with poor role models, whether it be their parents, partners, or friends. Through starting the writing program for the prisoners Dave allowed them to reflect and solve their greatest problem. Identifying who they were, who they are now and who they want to be. These prisoners struggled to express themselves, for example, sucking up their emotions and not crying. In some way, writing out their stories become the coping source to express all the feeling they felt and kept bottled up within themselves for their entire lives. Dave serves as a leader to the men but primarily as an initiator. He puts prisoners in position to be successful by initiating their personal growth through writing.
I am grateful to Kristine who reached out to ask for clarification. I am posting our email exchange below. Usually, if one person has a question, others have it too. I appreciate the opportunity to make the plan more clear. Communication win!
initial email:
For Thursday’s class, the weekly schedule says you should bring a “compost heap.” I have posted instructions for the assignment that the compost heap is a part of, and I want to explain what we are aiming for…
Instead of assigning a rough draft, what I am asking you to do is to really slow down your writing process. Please read the assignment page to get the big picture of the essay topic. In class today, you created the beginnings of a compost heap for a particular man’s story. For Thursday, decide what memoir story you want to focus on to write a full essay—it does NOT have to be the one you did in class today. Begin a compost heap for that essay. This might include: the page numbers of the pieces of that story; some quotes that stand out for you; a sentence or two about what you think might be interesting you about this particular memoir story.
You are not turning this in for a grade. You will be using the heap for class discussion. The goal of Thursday’s class will be to sharpen your understanding of the kind of analysis that should make up your essay.
Do not stress over this. Think about which story you want to spend more time with, and come to class having written out a few quotes and a few thoughts. It should take about the same amount of time as a regular prep note would take.
Let me know if you have questions.
From Kristine:
Hello,
I was wondering if we have to make an additional prep note along with this compost heap assignment. Also, do we post the compost heap to the blog?
Thank you,
Kristine Nguyen
Reply:
Hi Kristine,
The compost heap is in lieu of a prep note. It is basically what you need to do to prepare to engage fully in class on Thursday, and it is starting the process of writing your own essay.
I suggest that you put this compost heap into your “private space” or Google folder for the class. You do not need to post it to the blog, but make sure you have it someplace you can find again. You will continue to work with what you write in the compost heap.
td
*We may meet in dhall on Tuesday, 9/19 with David Coogan, Kelvin, and possibly Terrence.
We’re splitting into groups and recounting the stories of each character in the story, documenting page numbers of where their stories appear, and summarizing their experience.
Terrence (Alpha male stereotype, “…To be a man in any world is to know you are strong, weak, caring, sharing. That’s our true dominion.” pg. 195. Masculinity is a social construct based on actions, not who we truly are, and seems important to defend.)
Naji ,
Kelvin ,
Coogan (David also gains perspective from working with everyone; He hadn’t been exposed to many of the ways of thinking that people like Stan, Naji, or Terrence had. While he develops the thoughts of his students, he also develops his own throughout the story.)
Stan (Conveying feelings by constructing memories that may not have happened; not exclusively using nonfiction to add to what already exists in his tangible life story. For example, when he describes himself kicking in his birth mother’s womb “because she told me to” pg. 19, there isn’t any way he could’ve recalled this but he adds it to his story anyway and it remains in the final draft, also showing that Coogan recognizes its significance.)
*Telling your story is more than simply recounting the event in your life
*Metaphors are a powerful method to make your story more relatable