1. Brandt defines literacy sponsors as “any agents, local or distant, concrete or abstract, who enable, support, teach, model, as well as recruit, regulate, suppress, or withhold literacy – and gain an advantage by it in some way” (556). This is a multidimensional understanding of the concept. Using examples from Brandt or perhaps your own literacy narrative, describe how sponsors can do at least two of these things.
Literacy Sponsors can regulate and withhold literacy. I think this is more apparent for younger kids as they are beginning to learn the basics of a language. Pencil grips that are designed in a way to limit the way a pencil is held may regulate a child’s handwriting and therefore their ability to write and communicate on paper. Educators can also withhold literacy which can be seen when kids are told that the book they want to read is above their reading level. By telling the children that they are unable to read the book, you are limiting their literacy knowledge. Sponsors are “human relationships and ideological pressures that turn up at the scenes od literacy learning” (Brandt 558). Not all relationships have to be positive and in fact, Alexander shows us that even negative stories mostly get turned into positives. “Even the way Charlie interprets his negative experience as an outsider is framed through his lens of success” (Alexander 622).
2. Table 1 identifies eight distinct cultural narratives of literacy (Alexander 615), and the bulk of our reading selection is dedicated to the discussion of these types. Pick any two “little narratives” that interest you, explain each of the little narratives and Alexander’s view on the type, and discuss your reasons for being interested in each type.
Hero narratives put an emphasis on personal accomplishments and less on literacy itself. He sees this as the most common little narrative that is worked in the literacy narratives.
Victim narratives cast blame on other people, practices, or institutions for their negative association with literacy
I am interested in these two because I think everyone likes to put themselves in the golden light. When writing something that you know others will see, one is more inclined to make themselves look good. This results in blaming other people for your experiences and disregarding literacy for a little and only discussing personal gains.
