Stop and think « In Flux

When I started college in the fall of 2004, I had no idea what I wanted to study; hence, I was a History/Political Science major. After taking Expository and Creative Writing, in the spring of 2005, I became an English major. I realized that I love writing, well, I love creative writing. Writing for me is cathartic; I’ve learned about myself and the world around me through not only my writing, but through the writing of others. What I hope to learn as an English major, is a better understanding and appreciation of literature, and theory and how the two will connect in my brain to get me a job as a Rolling Stone writer (lifelong dream). As cliché as it sounds, it’s the truth. Take for instance my relationship with Shakespeare.

My senior year of high school, I loathed Shakespeare. I believed that Shakespeare’s work did not relate in any way to my life, oh let’s see, dead old British white guy, how he could he possibly relate to the life of a semi-overdramatic biracial 18 year old girl? Then last year in Eng 112 we read The Tempest. After reading historical documents that existed when The Tempest was written and some of the critical essays about The Tempest, I realized that I could in fact relate to some of Shakespeare’s work.

The authors I’ve read in my English classes thus far are as eccentric as the bands on my Ipod. I have read poetry by Christina Rossetti, John Keats, and Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Robert A. Metzger, Philip K. Dick, Robert Heinlein, Octavia Butler and Marge Piercy in science fiction. Momaday, Silko and Northrup in Native American literature; Shakespeare and Toni Morrison in Eng 112, some Joan Didion for Advanced Prose Writing and books upon books of poetry.

From the literature I have read I’ve learned that the end while important is not what matters. What you learn through experience in your own life and how the words on the page relate to this experience is important. Sometimes we’re so hell-bent on finding deeper meaning, that we miss what’s right in front of our face. Step back, access, and try again. I’m not pessimistic, but I’ve also learned that pain and suffering are universal. I hope that through this class I can meld theory to my thoughts, providing that my thoughts are too “out there.”

Marina Says:
January 22, 2007 at 2:01 am

Interesting that you say the end is not what matters because since high school I have begun to feel the same. I had a professor freshman year of college that encouraged us not to read the end of Novels to only skim through because it will only ruin the basis of the rest of the book. When she first said that I thought to myself, this lady is nuts, but after actually trying it I found that it allowed for more thought on what you may have wanted to happen.

atticfox Says:
January 22, 2007 at 2:44 am

Hey Keva,

Your switch from a Poly Sci major to English is interesting. Like you, I too am interested in politics and history. A direct connection certainly exists between English, history, politics, psychology, sociology, and other various ‘ories, ‘ics, and ‘ologies. What intrigues me most about lit is the fact that it is all encompassing. There are no limits to how several, if not all of these aspects can be applied to one book. I think that if I was roped into just one subject to study, I’d be a highly specialized bore. Lit offers so much more possibility.

Shakespeare’s The Tempest was a light bulb moment for me too. I thought Bethany’s introductory approach to theory was brilliantly executed by using our blank “theory slate” to inspire original interpretation, building on that interpretation with outside reading, and introducing us to New Criticism prior to other contextual theory. The shade was slowly and deliberately lifted, allowing our minds to gradually adjust to enlightenment.

PS: Best to you in your quest for a Rolling Stone writing gig. I held that same ambition back in the days when the gonzo journalism of Hunter S. Thompson and P. J. O’Rourke were in high gear. When you get there, perhaps you can inject the mag with the cutting edge blood that once graced its veins.

megglez2008 Says:
January 22, 2007 at 4:52 am

Hey Keva!

As you know, I have to sympathize with you about your hatred of Shakespeare. When I first read sonnets and plays by him, I really wanted to pull my hair out. Now when I study his works, I still get frustrated at times, but I now know how to go about reading his language. It’s no longer as painful as it was during high school, and I actually feel like I am learning from his works. I also find that some of his works have relevance to today’s world and society.