Take a stab at this.
Pick it
apart. Tear
it apart.
Pull it apart. Break it
down.
Break
it up
It struck me. Let’s look at this—piece by
piece. Cut it
down.
Analyze. Dig around in it. Let’s argue.
Discuss.
Point
of attack. Nit-pick.
Dissect.
These, and other expressions, are the most frequently
used for engaging with literature and writing in our classes. It is the discourse of violence, murder, dismemberment,
death. Even such words as “discuss,” which
originally meant ‘dashed to pieces’; and “argue,” which in common discourse
means ‘altercation’ or interpersonal aggression,’ are part of a patriarchal and
warrior discourse that dishonors what we strive to evolve in the humanities—diversity,
mutual appreciation, human values, and a global community.
Emily Dickinson satirizes this abuse of the arts:
Split the Lark—and you’ll find
the Music—
…
Gush after Gush, reserved for you—
Scarlet Experiment! Sceptic Thomas!
Now, do you doubt that your Bird was true?
In a discipline purportedly devoted to language
appreciation, there seems to be a certain deafness to and disregard of the very
language used to practice this appreciation.
Military and criminal language is symptomatic of pedagogical practices devoted
to assessment, quantification, pop quizzes, attendance policing, and creating future
robotic teachers: break it down into discrete units; make them conform; punish
intellectual truancy. Keep guard. Don’t
allow the experience the Lark—the pleasure of literature—to be whole or
wholistic. Decontextualize. Nail it down.
In another post, we find an exploration (note that this
is a word implying adventure) of how tutoring students in paraphrase and
summary perpetrates the very violence of which Dickinson writes. For paraphrase
and summary is a dismissal of what makes a piece of literature a work of art
instead of an encyclopedia entry. A Lark sings because it is an individual
creature that can fly. If we rob it of
its context—of its birdness—there will only be a dusty abstract category and no
song.
Violent
language in reference to literature and writing is also symptomatic of a
post-Freudian disease model of the human psyche that requires diagnostic
examination, institutionalization, and the administration of remedials, the
distribution of grades, like medicine, to keep the student enthralled and
addicted to external approval. It stands
in opposition to the newly burgeoning field of positive psychology that
celebrates life, instead of treating it as a disease.
Let’s appreciate
literature for its glories and use language that is vital and life-affirming. A discourse of music would give us:
Listen to these sound
patterns—
The poem is a musical score—and we are the
musicians.
The word “Gush”
literally gush.
Let’s compose…
An artistic reveling would yield us:
The image of the Lark constructs a sense of….
These words color… We can
clarify…
We
can consume literature as a culinary adventure:
I relish how…
Let’s
delicious this…
This passage
seasoned (or,salted, or peppered) with…
A
community building discourse could inspire us with
When we revisit... We can advocate for…
Let’s
consider… This reminds me of...
Ultimately, literature is an embodiment of human
awakening—both of the writer in the process of writing, and the reader in the
process of vital engagement. Notice the
language patterns used in literature classes and in what you read. Reply here with what you notice and with your
suggestions for how to celebrate literature.
Works Cited:
Dickinson, Emily. The Poems of Emily Dickinson. Ed. R. W.
Franklin. Cambridge:
Harvard UP, 1999.
Cover
image: janrssor.wordpress.com
Ending
image: markthesemoments.wordpress.com
Nadia Radwan
ReplyDeleteI found this blog post really interesting because I never really thought about all the different ways we can use to say something. While they all mean the same thing they all have a different connotation and context. For example, when you say let's “analyze” versus let's “pick it apart” you are giving off two completely different vibes to your reader. The first one seems to be more fitting in a casual setting, there seems to be nothing at stake, no emotions, to analyze to me just means to get a further understanding of something. Where as saying you will “pick something apart” you are implying something completely different, something sinister. I feel like someone is about to get violated or hurt, its antagonistic, it feels like an idea/ concept is about to be put through the shredder and comepley obliterated! I would much rather have someone analyze my behavior than pick it apart. Hearing “pick it apart” immediately puts me on the defense, and I think that has to do with how it just sounds violent. Analyzing just sounds like school work, its sounds objective, it sounds neutral, I imagine a book report or an in class discussion about a poem. To pick something apart sounds like you are out to get someone, you have a distaste for it already without even having seen what it is, you are going to pinch and pull at it until there is nothing left, I imagine vultures picking away at a carcass. Despite them meaning the same exact thing, I have a very different reaction to both, and they each give me very different images. Which I think is important to consider when writing because if you are going for a more peaceful vibe I would not suggest the use of “pick apart”.
hat I like about this post is how you have some example is how literature is used it attack or analyze something in particular. For example you used, “ analyze”, instead of using, “ let’s pick apart”. These two words are clear examples of how the right choice of words can give the reader a different tone of what the writer is trying to establish. The difference between what these two words mean is how casually we should look about the subject and just scratching the surface of what the meaning actually stands for. While on the other hand the phrase, “ pick apart,” means something completely different. The first thing that comes to mind is a body, or in this case a text, being torn apart viciously just to study it even further. This is how attacking literature can alter the thoughts of a reader just so as it did to me. Sure both these words means the same thing; however the way in which it’s said can mean something else entirely. This was a blog post worthy of discussing on because literature has many open doors to what the simplest words can resonate with everybody differently and I love that. I just hope everyone will get time to read this post because this is perhaps my favorite one by far!!
ReplyDeleteBeing bilingual I tend to blame myself for saying words incorrectly or using different words to describe something specifically. In college I have really noticed how it effects the way I speak and write because I don't always use the right words, or they might be a shorter way of saying something such as "dissect" and "tear it apart". With the English language there are so many ways to say the same thing, and there are many words that are pronounced the same but have a different spelling. If you think about it, in English we have to, too, and two. We also have there, their, and they're. language is so difficult and as a bilingual student it makes it much harder to understand which is which and it really effects how you write papers, or how you speak. I really enjoyed this blog because I can relate very well to it on the aspect of how you use your words and how there are so many ways to say the same thing. Literature can be very deceiving because the way words are used can have very different meanings in the actual context. It may be hard if the writer is being literal or if they are exaggerating and making it seem like something is really happening when its not and vice versa. Language is very important when it comes to writing or else everyone will have their own different idea of what is actually going on.
ReplyDelete-Melanie Azevedo
Dear Dr. Rich,
ReplyDeleteThe use of words have always intrigued me, I like to find new words and look into their birthing. I have on my phone the dictionary, which gives me a new word a day. I enjoy looking at the thesaurus, finding antonyms and synonyms, or looking into the root of words. This is how I can enrich my vocabulary. I also like using the digital dictionary because since I was raised in a bilingual environment, certain words are difficult for me to pronounce and listening to the pronunciation helps. Now what I have never done is paid attention to how we sound when using our words. I never stopped to think about how violent we can be by simply using words to describe something. This is a good point you have brought here, because all of the above I have said or heard when working with literature. “Lets dissect the story”, “break down the important points”.. these are some of the words we use and you are right, it does sound brutal. How curious that something so many people enjoy, like literature, could be handled in a negative way. And it is not only in literature that we commit the crime, it is also when we address each other. I try to always be gentle in my dealing with others, but I am guilty of speaking without thinking many times. Hopefully from now on I will remember to use nicer, positive words.
I have always been fond of the different ways that we talk. All of the many different accents and pronunciations of certain words in different parts all over the world. Let alone all the dialects and accents in just one country! I know English, Portuguese, and Spanish and I am constantly finding myself messing up Portuguese words that are from the Spanish language or I put my English accent when I speak Spanish. Also vise versa, sometimes I put a Portuguese or Spanish accent on some words when I speak English, right in the middle of my sentence that leaves feeling embarrassed because I messed up. And people look at me kind of weird when that accent comes out, which just adds more anxiety for me and I am more likely to mess up even more! Which leads me to fear speaking those languages because of the fear of messing up, but that is a shame. It’s beautiful to be able to speak and understand various languages to learn new words and ways that different cultures express their emotions. But I definitely will not let that stop me anymore, especially because of your testimony in class about telling us that your first language is Hungarian. Thank you for giving me the push that I needed.
ReplyDeleteGrace Carranza
This post really opened my eyes to the different ways that we can say things and how, even though they mean the same thing, a whole different meaning can come about from it. I never realized all the different ways we say "analyze literature". As you pointed out, they are all very violent. Why is that? Why do we turn to such violent phrases for something that is so beautiful? We shouldn't want to dissect literature or break it apart, we should want to dive into it and surround ourselves in its beauty.
ReplyDeleteSarah Otero
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis so interesting because we tend to ignore the importance of words and how it can impact a text. When writing and reading, is important to pay close attention to the words choice being made by the writer. Those words choice are important because they construct a text into something more meaningful. The word choice displayed above for example, “ pick it apart, tear it apart, it struck me, let’s argue,” are active phrases that help emphasize a bigger meaning. As you said, “there seems to be certain deafness to and disregard of the very language used to practice this appreciation.” When you say deafness, I understand that we ignore the very language used, when instead, we should be appreciating it and making sense of it as a whole. In addition, the word choice meaning will depend so much in who is reading and how this person is picking it apart or analyzing it. For example, for me “Analyzing,” might not have the same impact of “picking it apart.” For me “Picking it apart,” express a more meticulously analyzing, breaking down until you figure the whole meaning. In the end, we should appreciate and never underestimate the power of words.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many words that mean the same thing but the way we say it or use it can give it a different meaning. Teachers really use a lot of these violent words when referring to literature and taking a closer look at the reading. For example, the phrase, “Who wants to take a stab at what they think this passage means?” I have heard this in a class before and I actually did not like the way the question was phrased. But if they had said something along the lines of analyzing the passage it would make me think more toward critically thinking and slowly reevaluating what was read. “Taking a stab” makes me think about getting it right the first time, and giving the answer they expect to hear instead of interpreting anything. I now realize how important diction, the choice of words, can be. Next time, I will make sure I think about what it is I want to exactly say, and what I mean, before I say it.
ReplyDelete- Madeline Romero
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ReplyDeleteApril 11, 2019
Eng 4817
Prof Rich
Attacking Literature: How we talk
One thing that I have learned through writing and also in life in general is that although many words have the same meaning using one instead of the other makes a huge difference. Your example of analyzing something versus saying let’s tear it apart is so powerful because analyzing something makes me want to take a closer look at a piece. If I hear tear it apart I feel that I have to really get my hands dirty and dig so deep into the piece just to understand exactly what this piece is trying to say. I believe many professors don’t get the concept that using different words can have a huge impact in the classroom.
In my own writing I always try to use another word instead of basic cliche words that are sometimes overused a million times. Years ago I was introduced to a site named word hippo and I honestly use that site frequently because it introduces me to new words that are rarely used. I know a professor doesn’t want a paper filled with toddler words so using word hippo gives my paper such a more intellectual feel to it. I even find myself using these words in my daily conversations and adding these words to my daughters vocabulary as well. One of my main examples is when I go to my daughter’s school to meet with teachers I don’t use my basic words just for the simple fact that the staff expect you to come in as if you are uneducated but once I open my mouth and show I have a very broad vocabulary. So this post is very relatable for myself because I understand that there is a difference when words that mean the same thing are placed in context instead of the basic word.
Throughout a students life we learn many words and meanings. We don't know entirely what they mean but we throw them into our papers and hope for the best. When understanding a piece of literature our teachers always said to us to summarize or analyze. We were trained to automatically take the piece of literature rephrase it in our own words, throw our opinions, and bam we are done. We were so used to discussing literature and dissecting it, we were never taught to cherish it. Being able to read literature and be able to hear it and explain why. Being able to consider something while reading or being able to build off other people’s life experiences while reading something helps develop that literature way more. Not only are we able to relate to the text, but actually enjoy it than looking at a bunch of words required to read. Literature is something so beautiful and powerful. Not only does literature shape our lives, but helps us tell the stories of the people before us. Words aren't just words. They have more meanings than we can ever imagine. People taking literature for granted not only weakens the meaning of literature, but the true passion and joy behind it. I hope one day teachers start to teach students the passion and true meaning of works so we don’t lose and weaken the young minds who literature is in the hands of.
ReplyDeleteWording makes a world of a difference. The way you word things, is the way people are going to depict your writing. If you use sophisticated language, your writing will be labeled as formal. If you use slang in your writing, it will be considered informal. Don’t get me wrong, not every paper has to be a formal one, but when you’re writing a proposal to your boss, you should not have any slang in it at all. If you are writing a letter to your friend, spelling errors, grammar errors, and slang don’t really matter. It's about where and when you use appropriate language. For example, my sister is on a scholarship committee for our hometown high school. While she was reading through applications, she was looking for students who used formal language. There was one candidate who had impeccable grades and outstanding records, but in her application, she wrote in “refer to question 3” as a response to one of the other questions. My sister said that it was agreed that the student did not deserve a scholarship for such informal language. There is a certain time and place for informal language, and that student ruined her chances of getting a scholarship because of the informality of her application. Language is extremely important when you’re trying to get a specific point across. When reading literature, depending on the genre, you may encounter some informal writing. For example, young adult novels can come across as extremely informal some times. Other times, such as the classics, are full of formal language. This is how the writer wants to be perceived as, and what they want to be known for.
ReplyDeleteDr. Rich,
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my favorite posts. Wow, this is so crucial to young students both inside and outside of the classroom. This is because many younger students are not aware of how to properly pick apart a piece of literature. They are all up to date on how to text message and send direct messages via Instagram and Snapchat (which are applications that can be installed on a smartphone). I feel that this is scary for the younger generations because if they can not pick apart a piece of literature, how will they ultimately pick apart life? This is a general concern for me, both mentally and physically speaking. One day they will rule this world and when I am old and grey, I will have to surrender to their modern ways! I guess this could be a future situation in which older people feel like the world owes them something. I never knew what my grandmother meant when she said that, now I completely understand as it is scary. To accept change is not easy, but it can be done. Nothing in life should be easy, but it should damn well be earned. Unbelievably so, it is sad that a twenty-five year old woman must fear for the younger generations well being. I am lucky, privileged, and grateful that I was learned how to read at a young age so this was never an issue for me, thankfully. Sadly, there are still children out there in the world who have never been taught how to read, write, or articulate. It has nothing to do with not having resources available to teach these children. It is abuse not to teach these children how to properly understand the anatomy of literature. This is one of the many reasons why I am going to school to become a future educator, to make a difference - so that things like this do not happen. Change starts out small but can lead to great things!
Dr. Rich,
ReplyDeleteI never found an issue with the first set of examples that you mentioned that we use to begin a statement or conversation about a particular poet or poem. Now that you have placed them all there and described the meanings of the word it does seem like we can make better word choices. I use almost all of them, I hear people use them frequently and it’s never crossed my mind to look at it in another way. If I know where ones train if thought or idea is I flow with it. I don’t look for revisions or try to see something other than what was intended. I do like and much rather, prefer, your second set of positive examples that we can use. My new favorite is “I relish how” and “when we revisit”. I’m going to use those instead of dissect because I did use that word for your first paper. You crossed it out and told me not to use that word. I almost typed it in my second paper but had to think of what word would substitute it that you wouldn’t cross out.
I never in my lifetime who have thought that “discuss” means dash to pieces. We learn something new everyday with your posts. The way you give us a word and it’s meanings help us evolve as writers.
Victoria Savino
ReplyDeleteENG 3215: Shakespeare Survey
Dr. Rich,
I am guilty of using quite a few of the words you listed above, in the beginning of your blog post. For example, during class last week I used “breaking down”, when I was explaining how I felt about reading Venus and Adonis, and how easy it had become as we sat in class and “broke it down.” It was then that you informed me to use a different phrase, such as “relish it”, and I will admit in the beginning it felt weird saying “relish it” because I am so accustomed to “breaking down” works of literature as a class.
After reading this post, I have written down some of the phrases that you have included in the blog post above, and I plan to try to use them when I discuss literature, especially during your class. Some of the phrase that I have written down, and plan on using is the following:
“These words color”
“I relish how”
“This passage seasoned (or, salted, or peppered) with…”
“When we revisit”
“This reminds me of”
I chose the ones above for a few reasons; some of the most basic reasoning being that they are phrases you would prefer rather than saying dissect, break down, tear apart, etc. Other reasons why I chose some of the phrases above are because I like them, they are different, they make me laugh, and they are more colorful and expressive ways to share our reactions to the readings, instead of using basic phrases that we have been previously trained to do throughout our educational experiences. I find it interesting that a lot of us are accustomed to use the same phrase that you listed above, in the beginning of the post. We all are trained and accustomed to use some of the most basic of expressive phrases.
Hello Dr. Rich,
ReplyDeleteI have been using those terms all my life as a student including "Let's break it down...take it apart piece by piece..." and I never realized that it could actually sound violent. These are things that we have been taught so maybe we didn't know any better. Your suggestion of conversing about literature in the class is very different and unique, but I won't deny, it will probably take me some time to get used to using such terms to describe certain aspects in Shakespeare. From now on, I will try my very best to use:
"Let's relish it..."
"Let's devour it..."
"Why don't we enjoy this little at a time?"
These are the best I could come up with, but I am sure as the semester continues, that your ideas and opinions will make me a great writer and really learn to appreciate literature and Shakespeare not just with my writing, but with my words as well.
Greetings Dr. Rich and fellow classmates,
ReplyDeleteThis post was rather enlightening, and once again, has given me a new perspective. Too often, we use violent descriptors to slash, shatter, or strike at literature. But in doing so, we are interrupting its very artistic flow! Literature is much like the dancing leaves, twirling upwards, flowing freely, and gliding through the sky. The author, like the tree, has released his precious gift upon completion of the season and now we the observers, may wonder at its beauty.
While wondering through Shakespeare, it is important that we do not snatch the leaf from the sky and squish it in our hands, for if done, the very essence of the literature would sink through our fingers, down to the floor.
Instead, as Dr.Rich encouraged, let us try a different set of words. Words that tickle your senses, and flow freely through your ear. In using words like this we can appreciate the text and evoke a better environment for the entire class.
Examples...
"Let's be mindful, and observe this line by line."
"Can we sip on this line a little longer?"
"Did you appreciate this choice of adj?"
"Let's compare this rhythm to the scale, and then hum it."
I believe when we learn to "break things down" we get in the habit of paraphrasing. That might not necessarily be the question. When someone asks to paraphrase something, that is basically saying the same exact thing that the original writer said just in different words. Paraphrasing doesn't check for understanding or comprehension. Analysis would probably be a better way of asking whether a student is understanding what they are reading.
ReplyDeleteENG-3215-04
ReplyDeleteThis blog is very interesting and definitely does change my perspective in how I revisit different works of literature. (Even writing that line without using the word 'discuss' was difficult). It is something that has been ingrained into me since I started reading chapter books. I had never really thought about how my choice of words could be violent and although the alternative words you had given sound silly and improper, it does give it a more positive flare and seems to make reading (whether it be Shakespeare or anyone else) more fun.
Dr. Rich,
ReplyDeleteThe thought that kept crossing my mind while reading your blog was that we are constantly so obsessed with attacking literature that we get lost in the process and end up demolishing the little things that make it beautiful. like you said we have this need to try and break down these "hidden" messages that at the end we have nothing left of what the actual work really is. we take it piece by piece trying to dig deeper that we simply end up destroying what it originally stands for and that is just sad. Feelings of joy and excitement are much more important when reading than trying to find out how to "break down" a text negatively, I shall focus on the positive side of it.
arianni rodriguez
9/17/19
Dr. Rich,
ReplyDeleteI appreciate how you call attention to the "deafness" and "disregard" that even those who devote themselves to the study of literature are capable of when we stop paying attention. I think that I have let myself get lazy in the way that I talk about the texts I read. I have become adept at throwing out the buzz words that many professors like to hear, in order to show them that I have a grasp on the text. But rather than using words like "discuss" or "dissect", I love the feeling of intentionality that is evident when we say we "relish" a line of Shakespeare. There is so much love and appreciation oozing out of the word "relish". I am going to try and use more positive words such as this one during this semester.
-Kathleen Peregrin
Dr. Rich,
ReplyDeleteThis is a challenge I am looking forward to. I feel sometimes we do not always use the correct words when we speak. They are either an exaggeration, or poorly used. We should all be more aware of our thoughts and feeling, and be able to accurately express so.
Robert Rand
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteDr. Rich,
ReplyDeleteThe meaning behind words we use and the sounds they produce to help define the term are so important and key to theatre and Shakespeare. It is truly so similar to music and the flowing and sound patterns. Words like "rough" that you can hear the grain and rugged sound of the word or "tranquility" where the word floats and is very soft and continuous. The music and art behind literature is there if we take the time to appreciate it and listen for it. I love that this explores the deeper meanings of words!
-Edward Wagner
Dr. Rich,
ReplyDeleteIt is very common that professors, ask you to “discuss” or “analyze” whichever piece of literature we are reading. As a student, I find these words being the foundation of learning more about the literature piece. I have never thought of learning about the literature in a different way, always thought this was the standard way of learning. Knowing now that words can be used so “loosely”, and have different meanings to everyone, it gives me a new perspective on each word and the importance that word may carry. It also ties in with last weeks class lesson on the sound each letter and word make, how it makes your body feel and or move a certain way.
Stacy, I agree with you! It was very interesting to know that one word can be express in different ways. Also, I like the sound we do in class.
DeleteI am reminded of a phrase used in the film " THE VVITCH"
ReplyDelete"Live deliciously."
Would you say that in academia / most media that we are too analytical? in the sense where everything is a deconstruction? pieces to be taken apart and looked at as one may do with a engine or contraption?
The phrases you used as positive I find interesting, as they are like you have mentioned physical, often using the senses as a way to feel a work. They are almost decadent in their display.
I enjoy decadent things, I often thing that are labeled as hedonistic to be rejected but feel that more of people prudishness or the modern notion of art as "suffering" where one can't enjoy what they do, The concept of the "suffering, starving artist" or that art has to be grim to be true. This I find to be a very negative aspect of society and it connects to this idea of viewing all media as "parts" to be studied.
Look at how people enjoy movies's or films, often there reduced to sets of basic concepts, a person when watching something ends up making it a check list of "watch this" without actually enjoying it. In essence anyone that says " you have to watch this" as if watching media is the only goal..and not the ENJOYMENT of it.
James Patti.
Thank you for explaining how we often use violent expressions to reference literature. This is my first time realizing how aggressive those words sound. Students are taught to discuss, pull apart, break down, and analyze literature when we should be stating what makes literature beautiful and expressive. Viewing literature artistically. When using the western wind frequency scale in class to listen to the rhythm of Shakespeare’s poem “Venus and Adonis," we are using music to almost sing the poem instead of reading it plainly. Our discussions in class, are our interpretation of the poem not necessarily what is right or wrong or arguing about what Shakespeare meant. This blog has taught me to reconsider the words I use to describe literature.
ReplyDeleteJacqueline Perez
My whole life I have been told the phrase, "Break it down," which often intimidated me because it was so harsh. It is harsh and degrading to literature because literature is so beautiful was is meant to be enjoyed and relished. Additionally once the piece of art is "broken down" the magic is gone. Which brings the idea of why are some teachers taking the magic out of literature? Instead of teaching students to take in the magic like taking in a breath of fresh air.
ReplyDeleteDr. Rich,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy your approach to this topic in literature. As a future literature teacher myself it does boggle me why students are often so disappointed or annoyed when asked to read, annotate, or frankly, ENJOY a text. I think that maybe you are on to something-- maybe it really is the language in how a teacher asks it.
On any given day, I am a stickler for the finding the best way to say something-- whether I am describing Shakespeare's plays or my coffee in the morning. I do believe that the value and impression of what you say is determined by the words you use to compile your sentences. So I will definitely be trying out these in my own class as I student teach this semester and see if it makes a difference.
I also think this is a great approach to giving students a better use of vocabulary. Especially in the lower-income, urban district I am currently teaching in, students are often exposed to violence early in their childhood in many ways. Taking words and phrases like ‘attack” and “pick apart” and “take a stab at this” may be a great way to not only give them less exposure to violent behaviors and tendencies but to also expand their very under developed vocabulary. Maybe, it will give them an appreciation for words that they have never had before. 😊
Alex Toscano
Dr. Rich, This was an interesting article, I often forget how important word choice is, If I were to take it out of the context of reviewing and articulating literary work and used your examples in practical situations my intentions and heart would match with what is coming out of my mouth,which would also eliminate the frustration of not being understood. I will admit that some of the words that I believed to be harmless examples of self expression can be used interchangeably with "kinder" words there is a difference in the texture and tone that we use in Literature, to "relish" on something has more depth than to "chew" on it.The satisfaction is not the same. This is not only applicable in literature but can also be considered a lifestyle change and perception of myself to strangers by simply choosing the correct words to identify with.
ReplyDeleteNajeeah
Dr. Rich,
ReplyDeleteThe acts of "pulling them apart" and "let's look at this- piece by piece" are used in science classrooms across the nation when cutting up frogs to see the insides. I had never considered those same words were used to discuss literature, and now that you pointed them out I can't help, but wonder why so many of my teachers and professors have chosen to use them to get students to discuss literature. Those phrases don't celebrate literature, rather they teach us to think of literature as something that can be broken down scientifically, which ruins the beauty and joy that some of the words can have on people. When I begin working in a classroom, I will leave the science expressions to the science teachers.
- Kyler Hourahan
Dr. Rich
ReplyDeleteThis was an interesting read. As I go through your blogs, I am learning different techniques for writing I never would have thought to use. I often check definitions for words to use in my writing to make sure I understand the meaning of the words before including them. I never thought about looking at the origin or the root of a word as tool for interpretation. I am very intrigued to look into more words and their origins for future use.
Thanks!
Dr. Rich,
ReplyDeleteThis intentional change in how I speak about literature is really transforming the reading experience for me. Specifically, substituting the words "Break it down" for "relish" or "delight in" has been extremely effective in enhancing my insight and joy in the literature we have been reading together. I have never thought of the phrase "break it down" as violent. I had always thought of it as an analytical phrase that showed a certain amount of dedication to following through with your ideas. If I was "breaking it down" that meant to me that I was being a good student. But through our class discussions, I have come to see that even "analyzing" a text can be too harsh of an approach. Analyzing can be cold and calculating. It can take the emotion of out a literary experience. I would focus so much on picking things apart and trying to get to the "right" answer that I would lose the chance of any interpretation that would mean something to me. But now, I feel like I am finally becoming conscious of my language. Language has power, and the choice of using the word "relish" over the phrase "break it down" is opening me up to completely new interpretations of literature.
Kathleen Peregrin
DeleteIt is very interesting to see how one word can have different meanings. When I read literature work, I tend to use google dictionary to understand what each word exact means as English is my second language. Additionally, reading literature work is a whole other level for me. If I don’t understand the word while reading literature, I search for its meaning and write it down over the word. When I google the word, it’s very interesting to see how one word can have different meanings which sometimes doesn’t fit into the literature work I am reading. As a result, it can cause wrong perception of the literature work I am reading. This can also cause me to reread the whole thing again and redoing the correct meaning of the word which can fit into the literature piece. Therefore, I have to go back and forth to my reading and find the meaning which fit into the literature piece in order to understand it better. Not only that the pronunciation of those words is also important especially in Shakespear work. Because the sound or the tone of a word used in Shakespear often rhymes with other words of the literature piece which makes the rhythm of the literature work. If you don’t have the correct rhythm, that is a problem because then your work is not literary. The sound and meaning of each word play a very important role to make literature work. Therefore, it is very important for us to pronounce the word correctly and understand the meaning of it.
ReplyDeleteI found this article to be very interesting because I have never really thought about word choice when talking about literature. Students are often taught to discuss literature by using phrases such as "pick apart" or "argue this point". Reading this article made me realize there are much better phrases and words to use for literature. If discussions were worded in a more positive tone I believe students will better understand the literature. I also agree how using these phrases can cause students to paraphrase what they have just read. Teachers need to be careful to use wording that allows for students to not only paraphrase the reading, but to be able to actually talk about it and enjoy it. As someone who is going to school to become a teacher, I enjoyed reading this post because it made me realize that I should always be aware of my wording when discussing literature in class. Telling students to analyze or pick apart what happened is an easy way to see if the student read the work, however I would want my students to be able to have full discussions about literature and not just state what happened.
ReplyDelete-Danielle Piescor
This was a very interesting blog post. I had no clue there were different ways to express your voice. However, it makes complete sense to make sure that you pick the perfect word to describe a scene or a person within your work. I’m currently writing my first book and I’m taking my time to find the perfect word or words to describe a certain situation so my readers can have the extreme experience of being a part of the story with me instead of just reading it on paper.
ReplyDeleteAWP 5000
Dr. Rich,
ReplyDeleteWith the words you have listed I realized how violent people were (and can still be). The way we can change the meaning of a word just by its usage is amazing to me. It shows how we have become more of a morally appropriate community versus the violence and negativity that words used to, and can still, hold. This also reminds me of texting in a way because the way we word something or if we choose one word over the other our tone or meaning may come across in the opposite way that we meant for it to. To me “analyze” seems to be kinder than “picking it apart”. “Picking it apart” makes me envision a butcher or hunter in regards to an animal, not so much within literature. It is cool to see how many statements we can use and switch out which can still come across to mean the same thing, or the complete opposite depending on who is reading it. Things like “This passage is seasoned with…” is something I would have never thought to use. This is because to me “seasoned” should only be used when talking about food; however, I did like the sound of the sentence. It made me feel like I was reading something delectable.
Janaya M- ENG3215*4
I never really thought it was wrong the way we talk about analysing literature. Yet when reading the blog the phrase “Let’s argue” seemed to peak my attention. “Let’s argue” implies that you can be wrong in your opinion and someone can prove that their opinion is right. Though when it comes to art there is no right or wrong. There is nothing definitive about art. Even my last statement isn’t definitive. There’s nothing to argue. If a piece of work makes me feel one way, how can I be wrong? Is there some supernatural being changing my emotion from the right one. Art is personalized to the person. Whatever I need to interpret from a piece of art is what I’ll interpret. I can’t possibly be wrong for that. It’s crazy now looking back at it how I’ve had my mind changed or changed someone else's mind on a book we were reading. Who am I to tell someone what their takeaway should be? It’s up to the reader to give value to art and that value can differ from person to person. That doesn’t mean that someone must be wrong. This isn’t science, there is no answer. So there’s nothing to argue about. Simply say what you think and let others feel what they want to feel.
ReplyDelete-Julio Velazquez
Language has always colored how we view the world. Seeing how often violence is used in it is rather disheartening to hear. I also agree that people and most academic have an often overtly need to “break” something down and that there is always a singular definitive version or idea while all other interpretations are ignored at best or vilified at worst. I glad this class is more often to more diverse interactions because this allows for Shakespeare any practically any body of works to show new ideas that may have never happen otherwise. Breaking things down into a singular “Truth” more often lead to any other ideas and values being ignored or mocked as wrong. Life is multifaceted and it follows that the best of literature should follow in it footsteps. \
ReplyDeleteJoseph Patti
Yup indeed, Dr. Rich! Thanks to you, I notice that ultimately, I am becoming an embodiment of human awakening, both writer and in the process of writing. I, too, have seen language patterns used in our literature classes based upon our readings, such as rhyme and rhythm, tone, and sound. I, therefore, suggest the idea of celebrating literature in the ways and means in which you so potently described.
ReplyDeleteWe should remove lousy language about literature and write as a characteristic of a post-Freudian diseased model of the human consciousness that seems to require diagnostic examination, institutionalization, and the administration of remedial, the distribution of grades, like medicine, to keep students, like myself entranced and addicted to outer approval.
I never noticed that there are freedom and liberation in removing the status quo of the English language. No questions, there is such a thing as having a real and sincere appreciation of literature for its glory and the use of communication—once the thought process freed from the cobwebs.
With that, there are just no other words that come to mind, for you have, once again, stated and concluded the matter deeply. “Vicious language stands in opposition to the newly budding field of positive psychology that celebrates life, instead of attacking and treating it as a disease.” So, let’s celebrate!
"Attacking Literature: How we Talk” The way a word sounds is as important as the whole idea of the story, play, etc. The words that are picked are placed there for specific reasons. Words sounds are meant to invoke feelings, emotions from the reader. I think of the phrase, “choose your words carefully” or “be careful how you say that” words have such a huge impact in our lives and they are more than “just words”; one word can skew the whole meaning. Sometimes I find myself at a loss for words, like no word I can possibly utter can sum up the massive and complex thoughts I have swimming in my head and sometimes I feel like I need to come up with an internally new word to just get my point across. I like the words “relish, delicious, etc.” that Dr. Rich uses. They intrigue me, it keeps me thinking; “Lets delicious this”. I think it is clever to relate it to food because food is very satisfying and honestly it is hard to find many people who do not love food. It is clever because it now feels as if it is applying to all senses, so now it can apply to taste and scent as well as the others.
ReplyDeleteAlyssa Ortiz
I never realized how violent our language is when speaking of literature. We are often told to "analyze," or "pick apart" what we read as though it some sort of creature we are dissecting, and then "argue" about what we think the piece of literature is about as if the classroom is a war zone. Everyone should be more careful with the words chosen to explain how to approach literature. Someone took the time and effort to create life on the page, so we should not disrespect it in any way, especially with our words.
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Jessica DeLuca
In classes, I often find that I can not participate when I am told to "analyze," or "pick apart," the text. The idea of doing this is something that makes me very nervous and does not really seem appealing to me. However, saying the words relishing, like in your class, I find it easier to highlight the text in a supportive way that allows me to come up with an interpretation. Not only this, but using the world relish just comes across as being more positive and opens the conversation a lot better than saying "breaking down the text."
ReplyDeleteDavid Rivera, Jr.