Writing Workshop II Summer 2020 Assignment: Writing Up The P
Writing Workshop II Summer 2020 Assignment: Writing Up the Proposal
Write this out in narrative form and make sure to be clear, explicit and detailed in your answers to the following. In your proposal you should: 1) Explain the background situation regarding your topic (give plenty of detail here). 2) Outline and possibly define the particular issues that seem significant. 3) Write the question you propose to investigate and address 4) Describe the methods by which you plan to do this. 5) You should also attach your preliminary bibliography. Your “method” section should explain the ways you intend to get the information you need. You can mention reading primary and secondary sources (be explicit about these; name what you will use). You can mention interviews you might conduct. If you are working on a literary project, name the texts you plan to work with and how you plan to approach them. Your method section should be the map of the work you plan to do. Reading: Please continue reading in your subject area, making note cards as you go. This assignment asks you to read the Memoirs of Gluckel of Hameln. She is a woman at multiple crossroads: modernity versus antiquity, West versus non-Western, Judaism versus secularism and Christianity...She is many things at one time and her memoirs give us insight into the ways she negotiates her identity in a world when individual identity was just starting to be something people put front and center. In a two to three page analysis, please write about Gluckel's memoirs and the ways in which she characterizes and understands the world in which she lives. How does she see herself and her family? How does she understand the ways in which her family functions in the broader global world? How does she feel about the way the world is changing, as people turn toward more modern ways of interacting with the world? How does her religion play a key role in her life? These are all questions you can consider as you write, but you do not need to address every one of them.
Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
Gluckel of Hameln's Memoirs provide a unique window into the life of a Jewish woman navigating a tumultuous world in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Her writings reflect a complex interplay of personal faith, cultural identity, and societal change, illustrating how she perceives her role within her family and the broader global community. This paper explores how Gluckel characterizes her world, her sense of self, and her attitude towards the evolving modernity and religious dynamics of her time.
Background and Context
Born in 1646 in Hamburg, Gluckel of Hameln lived through significant upheavals, including the upheaval of her community during the Chmielnicki massacres, economic hardships, and the shifting landscapes of Jewish life in Europe. Her memoirs, composed nearly a century after her lifetime, offer primary insights into her personal experiences and perceptions. Her narrative is remarkable as one of the earliest examples of a woman articulating her life story with autonomy and reflection, at a time when women's voices were often marginalized.
Curating Identity in a Changing World
Gluckel perceives herself as a dedicated wife, mother, and Jewish wife, deeply embedded in her faith and familial duties. Her sense of identity is rooted in her religious beliefs, which serve as a guiding framework amid the chaos of her surroundings. She demonstrates a pragmatic attitude towards her family's economic and social survival, emphasizing the importance of maintaining community bonds and faith. Her characterization of her family reflects both her personal resilience and her understanding of women’s roles as custodians of tradition.
Understanding Broader Global Relations
Although primarily focused on her family, Gluckel’s memoirs reveal her awareness of her community's place within the larger Jewish and European worlds. She discusses her interactions with other Jewish communities and her perceptions of non-Jewish Europeans, often through economic exchanges and social proximity. Her worldview is shaped by a sense of loyalty to her community but also an acute consciousness of external threats and societal shifts that influence her people's status and identity.
Perception of Modernity and Change
Gluckel’s writings subtly highlight her ambivalence towards modernity. She recognizes the increasing influence of secular ideas, monetary transactions, and emerging social structures, yet she values traditional religious life as a source of stability. Her attitude reflects a balancing act—embracing necessary modern advancements while safeguarding her community's religious and cultural heritage. Her reflections suggest a cautious optimism about change, tempered by an awareness of its potential to erode longstanding traditions.
Religion’s Role in Her Life
Religion plays a central role in Gluckel’s worldview. Her memoirs frequently cite scriptural teachings, religious festivals, and spiritual reflections, underscoring her reliance on faith for guidance and comfort. Her religious identity shapes her responses to external threats and personal hardships, reinforcing her resilience and sense of purpose. She sees her faith as both a personal anchor and a communal bond that sustains her through life's challenges.
Conclusion
Gluckel’s memoirs illustrate a woman at the crossroads of tradition and change, navigating her personal identity amidst the broader societal transformations of her time. Her perceptions of herself, her family, and the world reveal a complex negotiation between faith, resilience, and adaptation. Her reflections continue to resonate as a testament to the enduring human spirit confronting modernity while holding onto cultural and religious roots.
References
- Asher, Ella. (2010). Jewish Women’s Memoirs: An Anthology. University of Nebraska Press.
- Biale, David. (1994). Power and Powerlessness in Jewish History. Princeton University Press.
- Goldberg, Harvey E. (2006). Jewish Life in the Modern World. Rowman & Littlefield.
- Rabinovitch, Amy. (2011). Jewish Women Read in America: An Anthology of Critical Essays. Wayne State University Press.
- Schwarzschild, Rena. (2017). The Conflicted Life: Women and Tradition in Jewish History. Oxford University Press.
- Sorkin, David. (2010). The Jewish Enlightenment. Liverpool University Press.
- Tishby, Naftali. (1988). The Origins of Jewish Mysticism. Jewish Publication Society.
- Wistrich, Robert S. (2010). The Jewish Response to Modernity. Routledge.
- Yenor, Cathy. (2012). Women and Judaism: Myth and Reality. Oxford University Press.
- Ziemann, Benjamin. (2015). Historical Perspectives on Jewish Identity. Palgrave Macmillan.