Bernardine Evaristo, Girl, Woman, Other (2019)
Part I: Deconstructing stereotype & prejudice
For the first seminar session, please read Chapters 1 & 2 of the novel (pp. 1-216). When reading, please consider the following discussion questions:
“Entweder
man lebt, oder
man ist konsequent”
(“You either live your life, or you’re consistent”) – Erich Kästner (1899–1974). What do you think Kästner means
by this, and in ways do
the intertwining stories of Amma, Yazz, and Dominique reflect this maxim?
- How
do the intertwining stories of Carole, Bummi, and LaTisha illustrate the intersectionality – the
intersecting and mutually reinforcing inequalities and forms of discrimination
– at work within British society? Consider & discuss each character in turn.
- Which of your expectations, presuppositions, stereotypes, and even prejudices did you find challenged in the course of the novel -- and how?
