The next session of Professor's Corner, a free discussion group devoted to quality presentations on literary topics, is just around the . . . corner. Join us on Wednesday, November 12, 2014 for Scheherazade's Charms: The Arabian Nights in Contemporary Culture. Refreshments will be served. Admission is free and open to all.
THIS SESSION
Scheherazade’s Charms: The Arabian Nights in Contemporary
Culture
ABOUT THIS SESSION
The frame-tale collection of stories known as
The Arabian Nights, or One Thousand and One Nights, has been one of the most
popular and most frequently-adapted texts of world literature for three
centuries. Since its introduction in the West through the 18th-century
translations of Antoine Galland, this medieval collection of ancient Arabic,
Persian, Egyptian and Indian tales has captured the imaginations of audiences
worldwide. What makes this text so compelling, especially to modern readers? This Professor’s Corner session will explore retellings of The Arabian
Nights--including the Disney film Aladdin; the graphic novel series Fables; and
contemporary novels from Egypt, Algeria and the U.S.--alongside the original
in order to understand what continues to draw us to these stories. We’ll also discuss what makes the storyteller
Scheherazade such a great role model. A brief suggested reading, including the frame tale
of Scheherazade and King Sharyar, and the story of the Trader and the
Jinni, is available here.
WHEN & WHERE
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Denton Public Library, South Branch (3228 Teasley, Denton, Texas, 76210. Just south of the Teasley/Lillian Miller intersection. A MapQuest map and directions are available here.)
COST
This program is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.
SPEAKER
This session's presenter is Dr. Gretchen Busl, Assistant Professor of English at Texas Woman's University.
READ FOR THIS SESSION (OPTIONAL)
Readings are available here. Background of The Arabian Nights is available here.
THE PROFESSOR'S CORNER SERIES
The purpose of this free series is to meet a public need for high-quality presentations on literary topics by featuring local English professors who talk about their special interests. The presentations are aimed at the general public and allow for discussion. Readings of modest length are usually available in advance. Gatherings are usually on the second Wednesday of specified months from 7:00 p.m. to about 8:30 p.m. Monthly announcements are available by e-mail; to get on the mailing list send a request by e-mail to Fred Kamman, Denton Public Library (Fred.Kamman@cityofdenton.com; 940-349-8752.)
AROUND THE CORNER AT PROFESSOR'S CORNER 2014-15
December 10, 2014: Finding Fairies in Greek Myths (Dr. Chera Cole, Speaker)
January 14, 2015: Beckett at Play (Dr. Patrick Bynane, Speaker)
February 11, 2015: Fire in the Sky: The Frightful Appearance of Comets in Literature (Dr. Brian Fehler, Speaker)
March 11, 2015: Shakespeare's King Lear in Adaptation (Dr. Ashley Bender, Speaker)
April 8, 2015: The Legends of King Arthur (Dr. Matthew Brown, Speaker)
May 13, 2015: It's Epic! Derek Walcott’s Omeros (Dr. Carl Smeller, Speaker)
SERIES PRODUCER
Dr. Stephen Souris, Texas Woman’s University (SSouris@twu.edu; 940-898-2343)
~Dr. Stephen Souris