In Literature

Friday, June 24, 2011 — www.theintelligencer.com Page 3 Regional War between north and south — in literature The very idea of North and South has writer, so it was based on his own fam- ways that respond to and often reject expec- played a large role in American history and Aldemaro Romero ily experience,” said Seltzer. “In fact, the tations of a larger society.” politics. Yet few people realize the impact novel was used as evidence in the divorce By teaching how literature conveys issues that literature has had in this national discus- College Talk trial between his parents. He has a rich of race and gender, she hopes that students sion and debate. on the American literary scene. personal history with a painful past that he will open their minds. “We are now more A scholar who understands the cultural She has also been looking at the connec- addresses.” aware of listening to all voices, whether importance of literature is Catherine Seltzer. tions between Irish literature and American Another of Conroy’s books is “The Lords gender, immigration, or class differences,” Born in Detroit, Mich., Seltzer grew up in Southern literature, an interest that began of Discipline,” in which he addresses issues Seltzer said. northern Virginia, outside the District of while staying in Dublin, Ireland, and seeing of harsh discipline, racism and sexism in “I think we are moving in the right direc- Columbia. All of her higher education took the many associations between the two. a Southern military academy. “One of the tion. Yet, sometimes literature is ahead and place below the Mason-Dixie line. “We can see ourselves as a culture tied to questions of my research is how a male sometimes it is behind the reality of our Her bachelor’s degree is from the College the world because of immigration,” Seltzer author tackles issues that affect women,” times.” of William and Mary in Virginia. She has said. said Seltzer. How does she see her work affecting her a master’s degree from the University An important point that Seltzer has learned Another famous book by Conroy is “The students at SIUE? of Georgia and her doctorate is from the from her studies is just how large the divide Prince of Tides,” whose cinematic version “I don’t know how many of them will University of North Carolina. Today she is is between the literature and the intellectuals with Barbra Streisand and Nick Nolte was become writers or scholars, but I hope that an assistant professor in the department of of the North and the South. highly acclaimed. “You can get disappointed they will see the world as a more compli- English language and literature at Southern “There are real and profound differences when you see a movie based on a novel you cated place than what they initially thought, Illinois University Edwardsville. between the two with real differences of have read, but the movie creates a wider regardless of what they do,” said Seltzer. “Growing up in northern Virginia was a opinion, from simple things such as making audience that’s good for literature,” she And what about the future of reading? real experience for me,” Seltzer said. “On barbecue sauce to conflicting views on liter- said. Will new generations, with their fascination one hand I was fascinated by the accents, ary history," she explained. "Southern litera- Since Conroy is still alive, one wonders with electronic devices, stop reading books on the other hand, while at the College of ture like ‘Gone with the Wind’ has addressed what are the advantages and disadvantages on paper? Seltzer said she doesn’t think so. William and Mary, I took a history course questions of race more brutally and directly. of writing a book about an author who is “A large part of the population will con- about how the Civil War was labeled as ‘the At times, they call into question their own Catherine Seltzer at work; photo by still around. tinue wanting to experience the feeling of Northern aggression.’ In many ways it really understanding of issues of race." Kristine Hildebrandt. “The main advantage is that he or she is having a book in their hands,” she said. captivated me in a way that captivates non- Not only does the vision of race differ there to answer your questions. The main Southerners.” between North and South, Seltzer said, but Seltzer is currently working on a book disadvantage is that you are always afraid of Aldemaro Romero is the Dean of the College of One of the areas of her research is also that of gender. “The role of gender about Southern author Pat Conroy, who hurting that person’s feelings,” Seltzer said. Arts and Sciences at Southern Illinois University “Southern renaissance,” a period between between North and South in literature has wrote “The Great Santini,” the film version “Conroy has been very open with me.” Edwardsville. His show, “Segue,” can be heard the 1920s and 1930s when a great number been different. The iconoclastic Southern of which starred Robert Duvall as the abu- At SIUE, Seltzer researches and teaches every Sunday morning at 9 a.m. on WSIE, of writers from the South, such as William Belle image is still happening in the Southern sive father and Marine. feminist literature, which she defines as 88.7 FM. He can be reached at College_Arts_ Faulkner and Tennessee Williams, appeared literature,” she said. “He (Conroy) is a very autobiographical that which “depicts women’s experiences in [email protected]. day as another race in St. Louis. CITY Morrison said they will provide attendees information about hotels in Edwardsville, and the city will be Continued from Page 1 considered a sponsor of the event. Art Risavy, Ward 7 alderman and It also gave $5,000 to American a member of the Finance Committee, Legion Post 199 for half of the cost said it was a great event last year. “I of fireworks at the Independence was there,” he said. “It was fun.” Day celebration at the Legion on Stamer added, “And I think this July 2. will only get bigger and better.” The Rotary requested $10,000 for The Finance Committee also the Criterium, and the Friends of heard about Parkfest from its coor- Leclaire asked for $2,000 for Parkfest. dinator, Cindy Reinhardt. The council’s Finance Committee Reinhardt said the organization agreed to the funds for Parkfest, but has been hosting the event for 20 recommended approval of $5,000 years. The event is the third Sunday for the Rotary. in October at Leclaire Park, and this “Even though the event is a two- year it will be from noon to 5 p.m. day event, we have a cap of $5,000 on Oct. 17. per event,” Barb Stamer, Ward 1 The Friends of Leclaire started alderman and the finance chair, the event to share the story of the This is the artist's rendition of what Edison's bowling alley and entertainment complex is going to look like. explained to the council. historic neighborhood, a cooper- Stamer said that is the same ative village founded in 1890 by The arena will include custom-made obstacles of the facility and McSparin said he has talked to amount the city gave the organiza- N.O. Nelson. It became nationally EDISON'S to hide behind and will be themed with painted possible tenants. tion last year for the event. and internationally known for the effects on the walls and facede – the theme has yet A bar and lounge complete with flat screen TVs “Last year, it was a well-attended way in which Nelson operated his to be determined. and couch pits will be included as will an outdoor event. It was their first year,” she company, providing housing, edu- Continued from Page 1 McSparin said a lot of research went into the patio with fire pit overlooking the fifth hole tee at said. “They are anticipating this cation, competitive wages, ideal laser tag arena and it was decided to add black Sunset Hills Country Club. year it will be even larger and better working conditions and more to his The site selected is also close to Southern light and fog effects to enhance the experience. Edison’s will offer five different private party than last year.” employees and their families. Illinois University Edwardsville and closer to Located near the laser tag arena will be an areas including one at the mezzanine level that Race Director and Rotarian SJ The village, which later merged Edwardsville High School. arcade featuring Skee Ball, electronic basketball, overlooks the bowling lanes. Morrison presented the club’s with the city of Edwardsville in But the young crowd is only part the facility’s driving simulators, fishing simulators, crane The Power House room, which will feature flat request to the finance committee 1934, was placed on the National target audience. games and more. The arcade will have a redemp- screen TVs and soft seating, will cater to adults last week. The event is to be called Register of Historic Places in 1979 Edison’s will offer a high-end, boutique bowl- tion center for those games in which tickets are while lanes nine through 12 of the bowling alley the “Stifel Nicolaus Edwardsville and is still recognized today for its ing experience, McSparin said. awarded for prizes. may be curtained off for private functions. Rotary Criterium,” and it will be unique history. Four 12-foot by 16.5-foot projection screens, Edison’s is also in the process of contracting a McSparin and Rujawitz are joined in their effort Aug.

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