Spiraling

Yes…all it took was one blog post, and here I go….

When it comes to education – formal and informal, in school and in life – I am one for both the “basics” and then thrashing about in the weeds. You learn a formula, a system, a timeline, a set of information – and then you spend the rest of the time getting various perspectives on it all and figuring out what it all might mean.

So, with a piece of literature: you read it, as it is. You get the context and learn about the author. Where he’s coming from, what he’s reacting to. You make sure you get it.

And then you talk. About whatever strikes you as important. If you’re a form and style person, you might focus on that. If you’re a word person, have at it. If you’re into cultural and social connections, you’ll have something to say. If you want to critique the author’s limits and flaws, there’s time for that. If you’re interested in human motivation and personality (raises hand), go for it.

In all of these conversations, you, the reader, are a subject. You are who you are, and you’re interacting. You can’t separate you and your experience from your views and reactions.

But here’s a problem, and the problem is this:

When the primary mode of reaction and analysis to literature becomes …”How does this make you feel?” and “What’s your reaction to this?”

At that point, you have set up a system which prioritizes the impact of a piece of art on your emotions and your very person.

And you have, right there, set in motion the endless cycle of cultural reaction grounded in offense and affirmation. You’ve not even given individuals the chance to learn how to interpret culture in any other framework.

I mean….what do you freaking expect??

If you have been involved in education over the past four decades in any way – student, parent, teacher – you know that this has, indeed, come to pass. Those are the themes of the majority of “discussion” questions in literature courses up to the college level and even beyond, and that’s the angle most liberal arts projects take.

Not: What is this about and what does it tell us about human life, past and present?

But: How did this make you feel?

Where does this present moment of offended cancellation come from?

From the “Discuss” questions in your lit textbook which, of course, are super easy to answer and much less work to grade…..