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Re: The Summer Prince -- lots of thoughts (a few on sex, most on location)
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From: Ebony Elizabeth Thomas <ebonyt_at_gse.upenn.edu>
Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2014 12:47:22 -0400 (EDT)
Sarah wrote:
"Related to alternating viewpoints as a form of power sharing: this is very off topic (but maybe does tie back to the book)... I do think even in a multi-voiced novel that employs several narrative perspectives, the polyphony can still sometimes end up supporting a single voice. (This question was actually part of my MFA thesis, way way back in the day.) While the literary device speaks to the idea of a de-centered narrative, authors can use it in different ways. In The Summer Prince, Enki's voice is patterned with and against June's-- but, for me, I found there was a way that his voice ultimately seemed to exist to support her. Even when his perspective contradicts, challenges, or changes how one reads June's character, Enki's voice still somehow is there *for* her. This is true even in the literal fact that he addresses himself to her. I don't know if others felt the same way, though! (And it seems that many didn't.) "
This is why I wonder why Johnson chose to limit focalization to June's perspectives. I wanted to get inside Enki's head. (If there were a fandom for The Summer Prince, I'd fic it!)
For me, that desire is rooted more in socioeconomic class and location than in race/gender/sexuality. Enki tapped into the working class Detroit girl in me. (I've known algae vats...)
Ebony
Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2014 12:47:22 -0400 (EDT)
Sarah wrote:
"Related to alternating viewpoints as a form of power sharing: this is very off topic (but maybe does tie back to the book)... I do think even in a multi-voiced novel that employs several narrative perspectives, the polyphony can still sometimes end up supporting a single voice. (This question was actually part of my MFA thesis, way way back in the day.) While the literary device speaks to the idea of a de-centered narrative, authors can use it in different ways. In The Summer Prince, Enki's voice is patterned with and against June's-- but, for me, I found there was a way that his voice ultimately seemed to exist to support her. Even when his perspective contradicts, challenges, or changes how one reads June's character, Enki's voice still somehow is there *for* her. This is true even in the literal fact that he addresses himself to her. I don't know if others felt the same way, though! (And it seems that many didn't.) "
This is why I wonder why Johnson chose to limit focalization to June's perspectives. I wanted to get inside Enki's head. (If there were a fandom for The Summer Prince, I'd fic it!)
For me, that desire is rooted more in socioeconomic class and location than in race/gender/sexuality. Enki tapped into the working class Detroit girl in me. (I've known algae vats...)
Ebony
--
Ebony Elizabeth Thomas, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Reading/Writing/Literacy Division
Graduate School of Education
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6216
Office: (215) 898-9309
Email: ebonyt_at_gse.upenn.edu
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Received on Thu 20 Mar 2014 11:47:49 AM CDT
