It is a matter of serious concern when we decide to teach English Fictions in our class rooms. First question arises 'which English?'. Indian writers of English fiction have enough quality works which can be considered, not just those written in English but also translated into English.
Any choice involves a selection from among the entire range of works available. And it is not an innocent act.
Gone are those days when we used to select from cannons available worldwide. The choice is overloaded with cultural and political meanings.
For example, why should we chose Salman Rushdie's works for our undergraduate students?
Is it for the story it tells?... or the postmodern technique adopted in narration?... or the creation of an Indian identity?... or postcolonial concerns?... or the lanuage used by the author in the work?
All these questions are addressed in the classroom with different responses.
I want members visiting this blog to share their ideas on this topic which will be of immense help to us as teachers of English language and Literature.
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nivedita
Dear Pradeep,
As far as literature is concerned it is a serious job teaching as well as the most light one.Light, not in the sense of preparation but because the scope can be really wide.
Now, when it comes to selection of works don't you as a teacher feel that gone are the days when learners depended on series of criticism done by critics for analysis? Today, when we have more practical approach like stylistics anyone can apply them to bring about critical appreciation of any work. So, I feel whether its salman rushdie or amitabh ghosh or v.s naipul or the age old dickens every work of art has some message & the need is to try and reach the theme.
If a student is aware of the background which is expected from them at under graduate or post-graduate level it would become all the more fun to discuss & analyse.
Lastly, your question of whether salman rushdie can be taught at undergraduate level or not, I would say if we stop boggling our mind over what the author intended to write then probably we would never ever appreciate the author's work. ELT, approach has given the world a new perspective of teaching whether its language, poetry or fiction.
So, enjoy teaching & make the learners do the analysing because we as facilitators can't spoon feed them rather apply the learner centric approach in class.
Cheers!
nivedita