Week #9: Class Notes

“Literary fiction” vs. “popular” / “genre”

(Jane Austen) vs. (Steven King)

“classic”

plot vs. character development

Reading Literary Fiction improves empathy.

My Name Is Khan (2010)

Directed by Karan Johar

Bollywood – Hindi cinema, Bombay cinema

“My name is Khan and I am not a terrorist”

Khan has Asperger’s syndrome

Khan is Muslim, Mandira is Hindu

Themes:

• airport security
• disability (autism/aspergers)
• terrorism/9-11
• religion (Muslim vs Hindu)
• teaching/learning/intelligence
• imigration/America
• love/family/marriage
• president
• beauty
• racism & bullying
• war
• natural disaster
• death/murder
• justice
• mother + son
• “we shall overcome”