Never Before

“History is everything that happens everywhere. Even here in Newark. Even here on Summit Avenue. Even what happens in his house to an ordinary man — that’ll be history too someday.” (180)

“I wanted nothing to do with history. I wanted to be a boy on the smallest scale possible.” (233)

M 16-Mar Roth: The Plot Against America Postscript; Chapters 1-5 (Saudia Ally & David Korman)       W 18-Mar Plot Against America Chapters 6-7 (Amanda Stipe)       F 20-Mar Plot Against America Chapters 8-9 (Kristin Zemina)     Response 5: Due M 23-Mar (updated)

 
 
 

 
 
Response 5 — Due: M 23-Mar (tentative prompt; might modify based upon this week’s discussions)
10 points; 500-600 words; posted on your blog by class time (reminder).

 
Part I (~400 words)

Discuss how the novel functions as “antidote” (to myth, to consensus?) and/or as “para-doxa,” with at least two specific examples.
In addition to the historiographic content, be sure to consider the literary techniques as well: for example, what do you make of the relation between “historicity” and the “disruptive effect” of certain moments? Or the historicity and the novel’s expression of affect?
Roth blatantly labels this affect “perpetual fear” (chapter 9 title): beyond presenting effective examples, — (e.g. figures, metonyms, anecdotes, expressive language) — describe whether and how this is “unconventional expression.” As always, discuss the significance, consequence, effects.

 
Part II (100-200 words)

I have presented this novel as a potential model of a “para-doxa Text” — in other words, not only unconventional and “dissenting,” but possibly “shielding against” the doxa: preventing homogenization (the eliding of uniqueness/difference) and generalization (to level of myth or stereotype/cliche).

With this in mind, what specific lessons or techniques from Roth can we derive, to employ later in our writing? (Examine his poetics, contemplating how he has composed this “para-doxa Text.”)
Perhaps review our on-going catalogue , for types of techniques we’ve derived, (considering specificity, qualities, function, etc): CATTt — “Analogy” category.

Tip (for both parts I and II): consider how Roth confronts the paradox facing everyone — engaging both history as well as personal experience or memory (and all related concepts / connotations).