H24 Inspired by True Events: From Fact to Fiction

Inspired by True Events: From Fact to Fiction

Literature

Course Description

**COURSE FULL**

Many works of fiction have been inspired by actual events, yet the extent of the writer’s adherence to—and transformation of—factual material differs greatly between authors. In Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood, for example, the author describes his work as “immaculately factual,” though he admits employing “techniques of fictional art” in his narrative. Philip Roth in The Plot Against America,” on the other hand, relies heavily on diverse historical sources but also integrates fictional events and characters in his narrative. Singularly different from these writers, Bernard Malamud in his Pulitzer Prize winning novel, The Fixer, draws upon a memoir in numerous particulars, which resulted in a controversial charge of plagiarism.

Examining the diverse ways in which novelists fictionalize real events, selectively drawing from sources such as archives, histories, memoirs, investigative reports, newspapers, interviews and more, provides a unique and fascinating window into the writer’s creative process and into the work itself. While these authors begin with actual events in time, the very best of their work resonates not only with events of the past, but with the present as well—and with human nature more generally.

Readings for the course will include among other fictions the novels mentioned above, in addition to corresponding factual material. Questions like the following will animate class discussion: In what ways, to what degree, and to what effect has the author relied upon and/or deviated from the factual? How does the selection and shaping of the historical material contribute to thematic and/or other concerns of the fiction? What literary techniques has the author incorporated to dramatize the events?

Books to Purchase (will be available at Argo Bookshop during the weeks prior to the course beginning):

- In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
- The Plot Against America by Philip Roth
- The Confessions of Nat Turner (30th anniversary) by
  William Styron
- Benito Cereno by Herman Melville

Please note that this course has a maximum enrollment of 14 students and that TMI does not allow participants to audit courses for free.

Course Details

Location: Online

First Session: Wednesday, January 17th, 2024

Course Length: 12 weeks, Wednesdays, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Sessions from:

January 17th, 2024-February 21st, 2024

and

March 13th, 2024-April 17th, 2024

Discussion Team: Eileen Curran, Anne Fitzpatrick, Michael Tritt

Degree Credit: 3.0 credits

Course Fee:

$150.00 (standard tuition)
$100.00 (promotion for new students)

Administrative Fee:

$35.00

Total:

$185.00 (standard tuition)
$135.00 (promotion for new students)

Course fees are refundable in full before the second session. After the second session, a fee of $50 for the withdrawal will be applied. Refunds will not be issued after the third session. Please note that non-attendance does not constitute a withdrawal.

Students pursuing studies for credit are encouraged to consult with their advisers as they register for courses.

Course leaders, and students wishing to use credit vouchers, should call (514) 935-9585 to pay by phone or to schedule an appointment to pay in person.