So I attempted to read Spivak's article, twice. It's definitely the hardest read I've encountered in this course. I know she is a very important figure in this field, but I can't understand what she's saying in this article. it is so dense, that I can't pick the imprtant point to concentrate on.
Something that I did understand at the beginning: Spivak states that a functional change ina sign-system is a violent event which can only be operated by the force of a crisis. Subaltern is the main figure of change: the subalternity turns things upside-down. I hope to clear some more things out for myself before tomorrow's class.
It is difficult, no question.
ReplyDeleteDid reading it alongside the Guha help?
thanks for the suggestion Jon, I'm doing that now.
ReplyDeleteI definitely feel the same, I found Spivak's reading very hard, hopefully tomorrow will clarify it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you...I felt like I had to keep re-reading the text and was still lost. But I do think you're right that the subaltern turns things upside down...
ReplyDeleteI understand! I focused on Guha and it took me one hour per page. This is a 40 page essay which makes reading this a full-time job. I do have a disability and reading is affected but clearly every one has been having a hard time. The whole time I read, I was mad at myself for being so slow. At the end, I reread ten pages at that took about 1,5 hours, I think. I think we need an illustrated cartoon version as an introduction... Does that exist for Guha and Spivak?
ReplyDelete