----- Original Message -----
From: "Richard Jeffrey Newman" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2005 3:24 PM
Subject: Re: Mushairra
> And this connects in my mind to something that goes on in the literature
> classes I teach, and even in some creative writing classes. Students come
> into these classes having been taught that the texts they read, because
> they
> are in books, because cultural mavens have put their stamps of approval on
> the works, etc. and so on--the students come in thinking they are not
> allowed to have their own opinions about the texts, much less a response
> to
> them. They know they are supposed to take the works seriously as cultural
> and literary artifacts, and I agree with them about that, but they are
> frightened to say about any of the things we read, "I think it sucks!"
This reminds me so much of the first time I was given a passage of
Shakespeare to criticise. I was 16, and had not been encouraged to do this;
was suddenly expected, cold, to produce a piece of criticism of one of the
shall we say less good speeches, totally off the deep end and without
introduction to any principles of criticism. And I wept, not having realised
that this was permissible leave alone to be encouraged. A most salutory
experience.
best joanna
|