Intro to Unit 6 - Classism: The Proletariat as the Other

In Karl Marx's The Communist Manifesto, he argues, "The bourgeoisie has torn away from the family its sentimental veil, and has reduced the family relation into a mere money relation," while Jordan Abrams and Angelica Castro mention, "[t]he roots of magical realism are cemented in Latin American culture taking place primarily in the mid-20th century, and was used to criticize the class and social system during the time" (online). 

After reading Marquez's "The Very Old Man with Enormous Wings," in what ways does the text address or criticize class and social systems, as well as the idea of family as a social system? 

What possible lessons, themes, and/or social commentary emerge from the short story? 

In what ways does Marquez's short story connect to Karl Marx's argument about family in the The Communist Manifesto?

"12AM" and Mullen

Last week, we ended our discussion of one of Mullen's poem's in regard to supermarkets and packaging.

How might that apply to "12 Angry Men" and the court/trial/jury room process in general?

- Is the defendant in the play "packaged"? How so and what implications/effect does this have?
- Are players in a trial generally packaged -- both on the defendant and prosecution side? Should they be?
- How does Mullen's poem "Elliptical" correlate to the readings from this unit ("Just Walk on By" Prologue from Invisible Man, "12 Angry Men," information from the handout on logical fallacies, deductive reasoning, and **Rogerian argument)?

Respond to TWO of these questions above in a comment, then reply to another student who commented on the question you did NOT, extending what she said, and offering additional perspective.

This is due by class time tomorrow.