about me

Practically imperfect in every way. Start with a lot of silliness. Mix in some insecurities and a handful of awkwardness. Add a pound of naivety, innocence, and child-like wonderings. Blend well. Half-bake and top off with a sprinkle of imagination and dollop of dreams. It’s the recipe for me!

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quote of the day

  • "Moral of the story: Do not look at the gap. The gap is the mind-killer. Remember how Wile E. Coyote never fell down until he saw the chasm? It’s just like that." --Taylor "Tei" Lindstrom, Rogue Ink

dumbass quote

  • "I personally believe that U.S. Americans are unable to do so because, uh, some people out there in our nation don't have maps. And I believe that our education like, such as South Africa, and, the Iraq, everywhere like such as. And I believe that they should, our education over here in the U.S. should help the U.S., or should help South Africa, and should help the Iraq and the Asian countries, so we will be able to build up our future for our children."

    --Caitlin Upton, Miss South Carolina Teen 2007

kids say...

  • Jacob: "I need to operate on my frog, but first he needs some amnesia."

copyright

Copyright © 2004-2007 Kerrie Lee. All rights reserved.

Confessions of an Illiterate

January 25, 2007

I have a difficult time seeing past the surface of things and reading into their true meaing. As an art major, I was expected to participate in discussions of student art in our studio classes, and to recognize and analyze patterns in my art history classes. It wasn’t until my final art history class that I began to understand how to interpret and talk about art. Unfortunately, it was the last class I took before graduating. Talking about art is still very difficult for me, but there was a time when I had a glimmer of understanding. I wish I could say the same for literature.

When it comes to literature (and poetry), I just don’t get it. I like to read, but my literature classes always made me feel bad. I always felt like I was missing something that was perfectly obvious to everyone else. It made me fearful of reading classic literature.

It’s this fear that’s made it difficult for me to declare a desire to read classic literature. What if I read something, but don’t really understand the true meaning? I’ve decided to take the pressure off myself and read for the sake of reading. People are allowed to enjoy art or music without thinking about them, so I’m taking that stance on literature. I think I could enjoy a lot of these stories, even without understanding them fully.

I searched my own bookshelves first and was surprised to find so many unread stories. I just read “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” for the first time ever. I didn’t even know I owned it! I have a collection of Edgar Allan Poe’s work which I will of course not understand, but which I have added to my reading list. I also found an old book from one of my literature classes which is filled with over a hundred short stories. I think I’ll try to force myself to read some of the books I dreaded/loathed in high school too, since they’re probably still on one of my shelves here somewhere.

This is the first time I’ve been excited to read classics. And if I don’t end up making the connection between Napoleon the Pig and Stalin? Oh well.

CATEGORY: Uncategorized

5 Responses to “Confessions of an Illiterate”

  1. Mikemandu Says:
    January 26th, 2007 at 9:42 am

    I absolutely detested this sort of thing in my english classes. When I write, I mean to tell the story I put on paper. When I read, I read the stories the same way. Sure there can be symbolism and allegory within a story, but that’s not what makes a story great. It’s the tale that’s told that makes it great.

    With a lot of classical literature and art, I think people get caught up in trying to explain why a painting or a book is supposed to be so wonderful and important that they miss the forest for the trees. While a tree can be a beautiful thing, the forest can be breathtaking.

    ~Mikemandu

  2. Kerrie Says:
    January 27th, 2007 at 4:02 pm

    Hi Mike! I was thinking about you while I posted this entry. I always feel smarter when we agree on something, since I think of you as an expert in nearly everything.

  3. Ker_thwap Says:
    January 27th, 2007 at 9:12 pm

    I tend to chuckle at the literary pompous folks that can’t enjoy a book unless they can define the underlying meaning. Tolkien had to constantly explain that the Lord of the Rings were not allegorical to Hitler’s Germany, yet the artsy folk just continued to believe otherwise.

    I believe Harper Lee said about “To Kill a Mockingbird” that it was wonderful how people keep finding new things in it that are relevant to their lives. I like her attitude, she leaves it up to each reader to make of her work what they will and there is no right answer.

    One of my favorite books “Little, Big” by John Crowley is full of beautiful verse, some allegories that I think I get, and a lot that I don’t get, but I still love the book. Then again, it’s entirely possible that the guy was just on drugs when he wrote it as well.

  4. Kerrie Says:
    January 29th, 2007 at 3:05 pm

    I recognize that in some cases, understanding the underlying meaning of a piece of literature (or art) can help a person appreciate it. (There are certain artist’s who I didn’t appreciate until I understood what they were trying to communicate.) Unfortunately, I’m not usually able to grasp a deeper meaning without help.

  5. Mikemandu Says:
    January 30th, 2007 at 1:04 am

    If it is the author or artist’s intention to use symbolism and allegory, it is usually somewhat transparent (or at least to the audience the work is meant for at the time it is), but our cultures are constantly undergoing change. Brilliant social satire penned just thirty years ago is rather obtuse to people today because society has changed in so many ways in those three decades. There are a lot of great works of art and literature, but relatively few are called ‘timeless’ for this very reason.

    In the end, I’ve always felt that great art or great literature is a personal thing. If it speaks to you on some level at any point in your life, then it is a wonderous thing. Far too many people try to tell you why you should like a particular piece of art or book. Love something because it touches you, provokes your thoughts or catches your fancy. Not because some critic somewhere thinks you should.

    Bit of trivia here.. you mentioned “The Strange Case of Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde” in the original entry. One of the influences for the story is a man named William Brodie, more famously known as Deacon Brodie. He made furniture in Edinburgh, where Robert Louis Stevenson lived and grew up. Stevenson’s father had furniture in their house made by Brodie, who also made cabinets and doors for the gentry of Edinburgh.

    Brodie was a highly respected businessman, Deacon and councilman in Edinburgh. He had two mistresses and a bad gambling habit. To support it, he made copies of the keys given to his clients and used the keys to rob them. After being caught, he was sentanced to death by hanging. This dual life that Brodie lead was an inspiration for Stevenson, so the story is in some respects just as it seems.. how some people hide their dark side from those around them.

    ~Mikemandu

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about this blog

It’s the spark of an idea that hits me unexpectedly. It’s the silly wonderings I have after a whirlwind of thoughts. It’s about creativity, inspiration, and imagination. But sometimes, it’s just about eating noodles.

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