Great Books Series to Continue with Rich, Beautiful Poem by Holocaust Survivor
Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, cchandler@wtamu.edu
CANYON, Texas — A renowned poem by a Holocaust survivor will be in the spotlight at the next installment of West Texas A&M University’s Great Books series.
Dr. Bonnie Roos, professor of English, will lead the discussion of Paul Celan’s “Todesfuge,” or “Death Fugue,” at 7 p.m. July 13 via Zoom.
“German citizens know the poem so well they can often recite it from memory, and it is included in all kinds of anthologies of world literatures,” Roos said. “It is very short—a single page, or sometimes two—and easy to read, but it is rich with allusion. Scholars frequently comment on the complexities of the stunning beauty of Celan’s work which almost contradicts his bitter and broken experiences in his life.”
The discussion series — sponsored by the Department of English, Philosophy and Modern Languages — is open to those who either have or haven’t read the book, said organizer Dr. Daniel Bloom, associate professor of philosophy.
“Everyone is welcome,” Bloom said. “Typically we begin with an introduction of the text from the presenter and then the meeting turns into a group discussion. Each meeting is different, depending on the text we discuss and the interests of the audience.”
WT professors and guest lecturers lead the monthly discussions.
The series began in 2011 and is traditionally held in person on the second Tuesday of the month at Burrowing Owl Books, 7406 S.W. 34th Ave., Suite 2B, in Amarillo. It shifted to Zoom during the Covid-19 pandemic; a return to in-person meetings is expected to occur in 2021.
Previous discussions have featured Plato’s “Republic,” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Olalla,” Jorge Luis Borges’ “El Sur” and more.
To register for the July discussion, email Bloom at dbloom@wtamu.edu.
The series is one way in which WT serves the region by offering engagement with a variety of literary and philosophical texts. Being a learner-centered university is a key principle of the University’s long-term plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.
About West Texas A&M University
WT is located in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. With enrollment of more than 10,000, WT offers 60 undergraduate degree programs, 40 master’s degrees and two doctoral degrees. The University is also home to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, the largest history museum in the state and the home of one of the Southwest’s finest art collections. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 14 men’s and women’s athletics programs.
—WTAMU—