AT THE END OF EVERY PROMPT, YOU SHOULD ASSUME THAT THERE IS ALWAYS THE QUESTION "WHY" OR THE ADDITIONAL PROMPT, "PLEASE EXPLAIN WHY."
This novel is a literary masterpiece, however, everybody agrees that it is also challenging and "difficult."
Does it make sense in our time and age to assign texts like Christ?
Is it worth the time and effort?
Or, is it better to work something more transparent and immediately available.?
Which of the two models are more likely to trigger critical thinking (which, to me, means "thinking about yourself thinking about a topic or text.")
You can also mention which text so far has given you the best opportunity for critical thinking.
Please take this task seriously. Don't overdo it. Be concise, clear and grammatically correct.
COMMENT AND REPLY TO THE BEST COMMENT
Yes this piece of literature is "difficult" but that does not mean it should not be taught. I feel this is a great tool to learn the stereotypes of Italian immigrants, learn hard ships of deprived families and open the mind to more creative ways to tell a seamless story. I feel that once this text becomes more understandable to the reader that this text would be much more beneficial for critical thinking compared to another text that might be easier to grasp. The easier text may not cause such emotional thinking compared to Christ.
ReplyDeleteThis is John Giannusa.
DeleteThis is a great point. Difficulty has nothing to do with effectiveness.
Honestly, even with the level of difficulty and complex structure of the book, I think we should still be taught about this written work. It may not interest anyone but it's an Italian piece that we can learn from (stereotypes, hardships, etc). With the help of the professor analyzing the book for us, it can make it easier for us to understand it and also understand how the text is structured. This text is makes me think less critically compared to other texts
ReplyDeleteI agree with Isaiah, the book is a good quality piece of literature that anyone can learn something from. Some people might need more help with the language more than others but this book provides a good look into the stereotypes and hardships Italian immigrants faced.
DeleteI think it makes sense to teach students about a difficult novel like this because it will challenge their thinking skills to decode the text. However this can also backfire because students can become extrememly uninterested and may not want to bother reading it or critically think. But, I don't think there is anything wrong with exposing an old text like this to students so we can at least obtain the knowledge necessary to learn history, literature skills and how Italian immigrants faced difficulties in America. I think either model of text can trigger critical thinking depending on the context of the reading and how it applies to the reader.
ReplyDeleteAt least in my experience, it's rare when an English classes actually assigns a book that is interesting. Many professors actively pursue texts that fly under the radar and don't receive much critical attention. Whatever reason they have for doing so, I think that the popular books are popular for a reason. I think that there are MANY MANY texts that are excellent, but aren't as well known. However, as some professors deviate from what is "known" or "famous", I think it is important to look at those texts because they are famous for a reason.
DeleteI think it’s a bit difficult to answer this question considering we were no longer assigned to read the book in its entirety. The film, from what I can tell of what I have read of the book as well as the information from the back, is quite the departure from what the book is about. The film discusses the events that led up to the collapse while the book discusses the aftermath of the collapse.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, I do think it is worthwhile to discuss texts like Christ in Concrete because it is a large portion of American history that isn’t readily discussed in classrooms and on an academic level compared to other parts of our history. In spite of its difficulty, it is imperative that we discuss it because as any decent piece of literature should do, it makes us, the readers, question not only the story itself, but ourselves. The book (from what I can tell), much more so than the film, is highly influenced by religion. From what I can gather, this book asks the existential question of “why”? Why do bad things happen to good people? Why do bad things happen to those who put their faith in God?
Any piece of literature that forces its readers to think is something worth reading. I hope to get an opportunity to read this book in its entirety when our current situation remedies itself.
I uploaded this incorrectly, this is Nicholas Dicrescento's comment.
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ReplyDeleteI believe that in order to read such hard texts as “Christ in Concrete” the reader needs to have a base of knowledge about Italian Immigrants and a specific level of mindfulness. It is good that we read this book in the second half of the semester and we are already familiar with a lot of historical aspects about Italian immigrants in America. I think the people who really want to learn a true history about Italian Immigrants should read this book. Also this book is a valuable reminder of how much immigrants have built and contributed to America. During this course I noticed that the more I read texts about Italian immigrants the better my critical thinking becomes. According to what we read so far we were able to critically think about the stereotypes and conflicts between the immigrant's original culture and the environment and values that they founded in America. In the case of Di Donato's novel, this conflict is represented through the immigrants' increasing realization that their Catholic beliefs could not help them to improve their living conditions and to save them from death.
I believe you bring up a great point. I agree with you, that having some knowledge about the topic being discussed in a challenging text, can definitely support your comprehension. Luckily for us, we were able to use our prior knowledge of Italian Americans and their struggles, to think more critically about "Christ in Concrete". Thank you for sharing!
DeleteAlthough “Christ in Concrete” was a bit challenging at times, it allowed me to think deeper and try harder to understand what was meant by each line. I was challenging myself to find the true meaning of the text. I feel it is necessary to challenge our selves in efforts to become better readers and writers. I believe it makes sense in our time and age to assign texts like “Christ in Concrete”, because it allows several generations to focus on a piece of history, and provokes readers to think critically about the text. I do not see anything wrong with offering challenging texts along with more transparent texts. I actually believe the two types of texts (challenging/transparent) can trigger critical thinking; it would more so depend on the readers ability to comprehend the text. Nothing worth having, comes easy. So why not challenge our ability to read texts that can ultimately, change our perspectives?
ReplyDeleteI believe any literary source is of high value. As the professor has said this is very much a difficult book just like Shakespeare or Edgar Allen Poe. Although they were required text to read in middle and high school, I found it interesting to decode or learn of the older writing style. The writing isn't straight forward but it presents ideas and questions we may not ask today. Since we were given only a part of "Christ in Concrete" it may be hard to expand on the interactions of the characters in the story. A harder text may present yourself to the idea of actually thinking about certain words they use or how sentences are structured in the text itself. I think by making certain stories or pieces of literature difficult it makes us think before we read because if a text is straight forward I just create a scenario in my head and just imagine what is happening rather than thinking about what is written. I would need me to actually provide some sort rationale for certain questions because it was just how I was taught when reading difficult books.
ReplyDeleteYou basically took the words right out of my mouth, I agree with the point you brought up about any literary source being of value. We have an opportunity to learn from any of it.
DeleteI truly believe that this piece of literature and any other piece of work is valuable and worth our time. I think it's important for us to read all types of work, to become well rounded, to see what we like and don't like. It's all important, even if all of us don't think so. It might matter more to some.
ReplyDeleteChrist in Concrete although difficult and often complex, I may never read another text like that again and it's a shame because even though it's all of those things I mentioned, it's something that someone wrote, and we can learn a lot of other perspectives and how they structure a text.
I agree with you, this text is definitely worth our time because it helps to stimulate our brains which is something that is needed since we are so consumed by the internet and smartphones. Reading difficult texts has many pros such as improving your vocabulary and knowledge skill-set. If you want to read texts like “Christ in Concrete,” I would definitely recommend searching for older novels. Although they may be dated, the diction is exquisite and you can learn a lot. I feel like some of the books today, are poorly-written and poorly-edited, writing is not for everyone but since everything is so accessible these days, everyone just does things without a true passion.
DeleteI think that it is worth it in this time to assign texts like “Christ in Concrete.” “Christ in Concrete” was written from a real-life perspective and is relative to the time that the events took place. If you want to learn about something from a certain period then it is relevant that you get texts from that time. Additionally, it also accurately describes an ugly moment in history from an Italian-immigrant’s perspective which in my opinion is more valuable than a filtered textbook version of that specific history. As you stated, people think that this text is “difficult,” therefore I think it makes it even more necessary at this time. On the other hand, I think that the transparent model can incite your definition of critical thinking more than the more difficult texts. I think that this is the case because it is easier to read and it allows the reader to connect easily to the book rather than worry about jargon and metaphorical elements that they may not necessarily understand. I think that “Son of Italy,” allowed me to critically think. The book was easy to comprehend and quite short, I could also connect to a few elements of the story. Finally, it explained concepts such as the commissary system with ease.
ReplyDeleteAs the blog prompt states “Christ in Concrete” is a challenging read, plus not being able to come to class and ask questions about the books and discuss it, makes it even more difficult. Despite that I think that it is worth the time and effort. The book gives an insight on the plight of Italian laborers in America so I think it would be beneficial for us to continue to read. It would be easy to read a text that’s more transparent but it would ultimately cause us to analyze less and not think as critically. In the end I think that whether the text is thought provoking or not, as long as it is new material it will store itself in our minds and contribute to our understanding of the world.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the last point you made, that is such a great way to word it!
DeleteI think reading “Christ in Concrete” is worth the time and effort. Although it is not from our time, the situations which take place in the book can easily be linked to our modern day life. Because of this, I believe texts like this which can be seen as out of date are more likely to trigger critical thinking than modern texts although there is value in both. The conditions spoken about in the book can be compared to farm workers and meat factory workers, most of whom are illegal immigrants with few rights and protections, who are still working through this pandemic and putting themselves in severe danger because they have no other option and to provide us all with food.
ReplyDeleteThis is John Giannusa.
ReplyDeleteI think that assigning this text has the purpose of showing the dangers of getting into a serious relationship without much thought. Geremio is left with so much regret because of his decisions made on impulse that he is left depressed at the end of the film. I think this was a good film to watch because there was a need for analysis of the characters and the moral of the film as a whole. I think this text/film has given me the best opportunity for critical thinking.