I think that we can't expect all freshmen to be familiar with all the cultural references in this book, but we can certainly use the topics Lethem discusses as starting points for general discussions. I plan to ask my group about a movie, book, painting that they've revisited many times---why? what was different about it each time? what drew you back?
I also thought there were topics that could generate group discussion--- the subway platform description; the changing neighborhood; the dynamics of certain friendships; the role of a "beard."
And I also hope to ask students to comment on certain quotes from the essays: the concept of "friendships-as-auditions-for-self" (137); "the disappointment artist was me" (142).
Last year, I had a group of about 20, and only 2 had read the book. We ended up talking about college in general, and it was certainly more of an orientation to college than a book discussion. I hope for better results this time around. But I also feel that there are essays in the book that students will not be able to comment on---particularly the Dahlberg and Cassavetes pieces. I plan to skip these with the students.
Janet
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Thanks for the insight, Janet. I'll definitely try some of your strategies. It's a bit disappointing that a lot of the students hadn't read the book last year - but I'm not too surprised. It's happened before. Hopefully we have a bit better luck this time. I really like your idea of talking about what books, art, etc. have made an impact on students. I'm also new to Brooklyn, so I'm thinking I might talk to the students about whether they are new to Brooklyn or have been here a long time, and what impact their own backgrounds may have had on their experience of Brooklyn. Jonathan Lethem's long time here has obviously influenced his appreciation of various aspects of the city, and I personally am seeing it with fresh eyes, and it's an interest contrast.
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