Clash of Cultures

A reading and discussion series led by Nick Boke.

• Wed. October 11, 7-9pm - Terrorist by John Updike
• Wed. November 14, 7-9pm - Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi
• Wed. December 6, 7-9pm - Understanding Fundamentalism by Richard Antoun.

Let Nick know if you have any suggestions.

Clash of Cultures

Notes from Nick

The first book-based discussion group on "The Clash of Cultures" will meet from 7-9 on Wednesday, October 11 at UUFP. The conversation-starter that evening will be John Updike's novel Terrorist.

I believe that by reading and discussing several books we can develop a deeper understanding not only of why some people are so upset with us, but also of ourselves, as individuals and as a culture. That's what this group's for.

I do not plan a lecture-followed-by-discussion format. I will, the first night, set the stage by outlining my understanding of the struggle much of the world seems to be plunged into, simply so you'll hear the point of view that wanted to generate this discussion.

The bulk of the evening, however, should be made up of thoughts that have been generated by our readings of the book. If you own the book, please scribble notes as you read. If you've borrowed it, work out some kind of post-it system or something. It's important that we milk Updike's research and thinking as much as we can. It is full of insight and thought-provoking questions. It's important that we discuss what he actually wrote as well as what we thought about it.

Feel free to pursue questions you may have through further reading or over the Internet before the first meeting. I'm fairly knowledgeable about a fair amount of what we'll be talking about, but I cannot be the final authority.

The second meeting will be Wednesday, November 14. We will read Reading Lolita in Teheran by Azar Nafisi for that. It is in paperback.

It is the story of an Iranian scholar of western literature who went home before the 1979 revolution, watched the revolution change everything, continued teaching about Nabakov and Fitzgerald and James, etc., finally starting a small+informal class for young women in her home. It touches on many, many subjects of relevance, blending insight into the West with insight into the world of fundamentalist/evangelical Islam.