The ULLI short story course led by Ron Johnson and scheduled to begin on May 17th is currently full. There were a small number of people who expressed interest in this course but were unable to take it at this time. Ron would like to offer a repeat of this course if we can get a sufficient number of people to have a good discussion of each of the short stories. The course would be offered from 10:00 AM until 11:30 on six consecutive Fridays beginning June 28th and ending July 26th. It would meet in either Uplands Heritage Hall or Pleasant Hill Community Church. If you have an interest in taking this course, which focuses on the work of Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Jhumpa Lahiri, please contact Ron at ronjohnson25@gmail.com as soon as possible.
Ron Johnson is the course leader. Before he became a pastor, Ron taught English and American literature in high school and college. He holds several degrees: M.Div, MA in teaching, and a Doctorate in English and American literature.
This course will focus on six stories from the Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Interpreter of Maladies, a collection of stories by Jhumpa Lahiri. Lahiri, the daughter of Indian parents, was born in London but moved with her parents to
the United States when she was three. Wikipedia says this about the author and her work:
“The stories address sensitive dilemmas in the lives of Indians or Indian immigrants, with themes such as marital difficulties, the bereavement over a stillborn child, and the disconnection between first and second generation United States immigrants. Lahiri later wrote, "When I first started writing I was not conscious that my subject was the Indian-American experience. What drew me to my craft was the desire to force the two worlds I occupied to mingle on the page as I was not brave enough, or mature enough, to allow in life."
I think you will discover that, though the subject matter of most of the stories is “the Indian- American experience,” their themes are universal.
The course will meet on six successive Fridays, beginning June 28th , from 10:00 am t0 11:30. Its vitality depends upon each member coming to the weekly meetings having read and thought about the particular story for the day and being prepared to discuss it with one another. Each week a group of discussion-starter questions will be emailed to each participant. In order to facilitate discussion, the class will have a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 15 persons.
REGISTRATION: Contact Ron Johnson: email-ronjohnson25@gmail.com; call: 931-371-1781. First Come; First Served. As this is a repeat, act as soon as possible.
Course charge: $10 for ULLI members; $20 for non-members. Checks should be made out to ULLI. (Become a member:$50 annually with checks mailed to ULLI c/o PHCC PO Box 621, Pleasant Hill 38578.) Checks for this course can be mailed to ULLI at the above PO Box. One may also give the course fee directly to Ron at the first class. As always donations are greatly appreciated.
