Scheherazade's Charms: The Arabian Nights in Contemporary Culture

ANNOUNCING THE NEXT SESSION OF PROFESSOR'S CORNER.
Session title: Scheherazade's Charms: The Arabian Nights in Contemporary Culture.

Presenter: Dr. Gretchen Busl, Texas Woman's University.

Series: Professor's Corner: A Literary Discussion Group.

Session description: The frame-tale collection of stories known as The Arabian Nights, or One Thousand and One Nights, has been one of the most popular and most frequently adapted texts of world literature for three centuries. Since its introduction in the West through the 18th century translations of Antoine Galland, this medieval collection of ancient Arabic, Persian, Egyptian, and Indian tales has captured the imaginations of audiences worldwide. What makes this text so compelling, especially to modern readers? This Professor's Corner session will explore re-tellings of The Arabian Nights--like the Disney film Aladdin, the graphic novel series Fables, and contemporary novels from Egypt, Algeria, and the U.S.--alongside the original in order to understand what continues to draw us to these stories. We'll also discuss what makes the storyteller Scheherazade such a great role model. A brief reading, including the frame tale of Scheherazade and King Sharyar, as well as the story of the Trader and the Jinni, will be provided in advance.

Refreshments will be served.

Reading material: The reading made available in advance by the presenter can be obtained by following the link above or by accessing the material through the calendar page of the Denton Public Library's website -- click on the calendar link from the front page and go to the session date. Reading in advance is encouraged but not required.

Coordinator: Fred Kamman, Denton Public Library; Fred.Kamman@cityofdenton.com; 940-349-8752. Producer: Dr. Stephen Souris, Texas Woman's University; SSouris@twu.edu; 940-898-2343.

Supporters: Denton Public Library, Voertman's Bookstore, Recycled Books Records CDs, Cooper's Copies and Printing, and Humanities Texas. "This program was made possible in part with a grant from Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities."