Anthologist speaks of inspiration for change

Thursday, September 2, 2010

“The Heath Anthology of American Literature” has certainly changed how American literature is taught at the University of Kansas and may have affected the course of American literature on a much larger scale.

Paul Lauter, the general editor of the anthology, spoke about the changing academics in American literature Wednesday night at the Kansas Union and yesterday morning at the Hall Center for Humanities.

Lauter said his experiences with social movements in the 60s led him to envision a new kind of anthology — one that included the voices of minorities and women. In becoming a success, the anthology forced other anthologies to follow suit.

“We widened the definition of what is called literature to include texts like blues lyrics, letters, nonfictional prose — generally seen as marginal to literary study,” Lauter said during his lecture yesterday.

More than 20 years after its initial publication, the anthology is used for American Literature I and II, and it has changed the way both students and professors approach the class.

“It’s forced me to reevaluate what we call good writing,” said Susan Harris, the Hall distinguished professor of American literature and culture.

Stephanie Lanning, a senior from Shawnee in an American literature class, attended Lauter’s lecture Thursday. She said it was easier to engage with the anthology because the voices of women were included.

Lanning said the students in her class read a dramatic story about a woman who faced physical hardship.

“It was really interesting because it was about a female — usually, with that kind of story, you hear about a man,” she said.

The extra voices of minorities and women add context to the usual history learned in class. More voices offer perspective on the same events.

“It allows texts to have a dialogue and contrast with one another,” said Philip Barnard, an associate professor who teaches American literature. “You can trace cultural transformation in a different way. You can tell historical stories better with it.”

— Edited by Lisa Curran

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