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December 18, 2000
Q&A:
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Nina Vietorova
visiting scholar, English Department
As the semester winds down, most students and professors will be looking forward
to getting away from the books for a few weeks. But Nina Vietorova, a visiting
scholar from Slovakia, finds it difficult to tear herself away from Sprague
Library, where she loves to "touch and smell" the books.
A professor of American Studies at Comenius University, Vietorova visited the United States to observe and teach English classes, gather material and present a lecture, "American Popular Literature as Seen Through Central European Eyes," as part of the Tea and Talk series. Her visit was made possible through the efforts of Marina Cunningham, director of the Global Education Center, and a collaboration between Montclair State and Comenius University.
"Nina is a remarkable woman," said Rita Jacobs of English. "I met her in Bratislava two years ago and immediately felt a connection to her as a colleague. It showed me that people who share the same interests and disciplines know no boundaries. Her passion for American literature is rare, and her perceptions about my students' presentations were excellent."
Before returning to Bratislava last week, Vietorova shared some thoughts on her visit and about teaching American literature in her country.
INSIGHT: Tell us
about your Tea and Talk presentation.
Vietorova: I discussed the penetration of American pop culture into central
Europe. Pop culture in my country is stronger and better known than serious
literature. The same situation is evident in all post-communist countries. The
economy forces publishing houses to choose literature that is more attractive
to the consumer and cheaper to print. On the other hand, critics have objections
to some aspects of American culture or literature.
INSIGHT: What pleases
you about touching and smelling books?
Vietorova: Books are not easily available in my country, and American literature
has always been in short supply. The books that are available are very expensive,
so I cannot ask the university to buy them, and the libraries have no money
to buy them, either. So I often read from photocopies of chapters and short
stories.
INSIGHT: Why is
that?
Vietorova: Our market has been flooded by American films, soap operas, and books
by Danielle Steel and John Grisham. Although there was severe censorship in
the past, the state supported publishing houses, so it was easier to find good,
serious literature than it is today. Publishers must earn money to spend it,
and they aren't making it on good culture. That's the problem we have with libraries,
theaters, publishing houses and schools. We lack money.
INSIGHT: How did
you become interested in American literature?
Vietorova: I was lucky because my parents spent time abroad, so whenever they
could, they sent books to me. Also, in the past 10 years I've had the opportunity
to travel to London twice to look through the libraries to find out what was
going on in contemporary literature. My favorite author is Don DeLillo. I also
find Susan Minot a very interesting and effective writer, and I like Michael
Cunningham.
INSIGHT: How would
you compare the students in Bratislava to those in America?
Vietorova: American students at first glance appeared too informal to me. But
after listening to them discuss literature, I discovered that I would love to
have those students in my classroom because they're free thinkers. In socialist
countries students are not asked, nor are they expected, to analyze or ask questions.
Where I come from the teacher stands aboveÑex-cathedraÑwhile the students listen.
In the United States the stress is on analysis, which gets students deeper into
the text. And sometimes teachers learn from the students because they occasionally
see things we may have overlooked.
INSIGHT: Do you
plan to stress analysis in your classroom at Comenius?
Vietorova: Yes. However, it is necessary for students to have a piece of fiction
when I ask them to analyze it. If they can't read it I can't expect them to
discuss it. As soon as good stories become available and I can photocopy them,
I plan to imitate the style of teaching I've observed here. Rita Jacobs poses
questions that penetrate deep into the text, and her students' method of analysis
impressed me. She knows her job and she is an excellent teacher.