As mentioned before I've been reading/writing poetry for the last 3 weeks or so for my Literature class and I'll be honest I've been kind of bored. I've never really been a fan of Emily Dickinson and yes I know saying that out loud will make people *GASP* but honestly while her poems are good, great even I can never get over the fact that she is so popular and it really affects my ability to enjoy such things. No I'm not a hipster type that hates things when they are popular but when it comes to reading I don't want to feel like I'm being "forced" into reading it know what I mean? That's why I never really read the novels assigned to us in high school. I understand they are classics and I did myself a huge disservice it's just I can't get involved and absorbed into the story that makes reading fun. I have to want it and anytime something is either popular or assigned to me I feel like I HAVE to read it or I'd miss out (or fail!!) and that's just not fun for me! So with all that being said reading famous poetry hasn't been that fun for me the last few weeks even though poetry is my strong suit. I would have preferred maybe discovering new poems or more underrated poems/poets but yet still met the requirement of being allowed in a American literature textbook. I can already tell what will be said in response to this and that's the second part of the course will make me happy because I think it's like mid 1800s (I think...) to present day. Which is true I suppose but I have no idea if I can take it yet!
Regardless I had a fun semester overall and it did make me want to read more and it's something I've been pushing myself to do for 5 years or more now.
Kyle, do whatever is in your powers to take that second American Lit course. From what I have read into your posts I find that you and I are quite similar in our choice of readings. There is nothing better than stumbling upon a poet that grips you in their ink stained hands that you marvel with jealousy over their word.
ReplyDeleteI also noticed in another post that you kept yourself busy with Netflix. I'd like to recommend the JD Salinger documentary that is on Netflix to keep your literary mind oiled during break. I've watched it twice and find something to send my mind into a full out discussion with myself. Ah, yes, I live with idiots that do not "get" anything literary. They are my idiots though and I love them.
I'll be sure to try :p As for the Netflix thing I'll look into it soon. (Trying to catch up on bones and castle atm!)
DeleteI understand what you are saying about not being able to really enjoy Dickinson. I am striving to read as many of the "classics" as possible because I am an English major. I know this will be useful to me in my future work so I am trying to cover as much ground as possible on my personal time. Many poems, short stories, and novels are very much entitled to the high prestige that they are held to, but there are also many that are not quite what I had imagined. I have read Dickinson before, but it was limited compared to what we were offered in this class. I was not a fan when I read it before, and this class only has reaffirmed the feeling. I just don't understand it. I know there are numerous fans, and it makes me happy that so many people can enjoy something as special as poetry together. However, I will not be joining them. I am sure there are many who actually enjoy her poetry for what it is, but I am also very sure that some are just attached to the name.
ReplyDeleteI took an art history class this semester that was also online. The first week, we were asked to write a discussion board answering many personal questions, one of which asking who our favorite author was. Now, while I don't doubt that many people do enjoy Picasso, I doubt 15 people in a class of 20 are really naming him based solely on his artwork. He has become a "brand" in the art world. People who are not aware of how much more art has to offer, have to rely on the popular. I don't think this is always a bad thing though. Someone could discover Picasso because of his popularity, and then they may decide to dig deeper and discover more artists. However...I did get a little chuckle when I read all of the identical posts on the discussion board!
If this makes me a hipster, so be it. I won't deny the work of any author, but I would like to challenge others to perhaps expand their knowledge and read more!
I believe it was Mark Twain who once said, "a classic is something everyone praises and no one reads."
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