World Literature English Reading Clubs with Marina 明蓮花 (115-1 Semester)

Steve Ying-Chu Chen participated in the first English Reading Club session of the 115-1 semester on October 19, 2026, facilitated by Marina 明蓮花[cite: 1]. The group, which included attendees Zoe, Steve (Ying-Chu Chen), Sheena, and Estella, gathered to read and discuss the short story Eleven by Sandra Cisneros.

The session’s primary objective was to explore different levels of interpretation related to identity, personal experience, and how readers connect their own perspectives to a literary text. Through the experiences of the eleven-year-old protagonist, Rachel, the group analyzed childhood as a complex period where various emotions coexist. The discussion highlighted that growing older does not mean leaving behind the feelings and vulnerabilities associated with earlier stages of life.

The dialogue delved into several key themes:

• Identity and Age: Participants explored the concept that identity is a complex, continuously developing trait rather than something fixed. The group discussed how previous experiences remain a part of who we are as we age, and examined the contrast between self-perception and how others view us.
• Personal Connections to Literature: The discussion encouraged multiple perspectives rather than searching for a single correct interpretation. Attendees connected Rachel’s feelings of being misunderstood or struggling to express herself to their own personal experiences, demonstrating how readers construct meaning.
• Collaborative Environment: The session fostered a balanced atmosphere where all participants comfortably shared their viewpoints and valued differing interpretations of the text.

To conclude the meeting, the group watched a brief puppetry video as a transition to the theme of the following class. This introduced a visual and performative artistic medium to broaden the ways participants can explore characters and ideas beyond written literature. Overall, the meeting provided a strong foundation for future sessions by demonstrating literature’s potential as a starting point to explore personal identity and emotions.