(Haha, the funny thing is I was just going to bring up Bechdel's commentary on literary analysis as well!)
Anyways, I can completely relate with Alison here. I never found criticism engaging in the slightest. Soon, I knew how to spot archetypes and plot devices and in all of my other English classes it was just as my mom says, "same song, second verse."
However, this class was different. I was engaged in the texts, they /all/ were good, even the scientific ones, and I learned to appreciate style more so than technicalities. I felt soul come out of critical analyses that I never in a million years thought was ever possible.
Also, similar to Allison, the connections I drew to the texts helped me come to my own conclusions about my life, as well. I was learning much more about myself and all of my amazing classmates each and everyday. I've become okay with myself more and more, and this community we've made in class has helped us all in one way or the other, I'm sure.
In the end, I just want to say thank you to everyone. Professor S and all of y'all wonderful classmates/friends. It's been too much fun.
"I didn't understand why we couldn't just read the books without forcing contorted interpretations on them" (200).
Much like Bechdel, I like to read for pleasure. I enjoyed all my English classes in high school but I hated whenever we had to analyze the works. Few books I've read for school, in any class, I've disliked. Despite the fact that I do not like to analyze text, I will say that I have learned to do so and know it to be a useful technique and sometimes catch myself doing so unconsciously when describing a book to a friend. (This is where Bechdel and I differ, for she is much better at it).
This class was no different from any of my other English classes. I liked most of the readings in the syllabus and often times, like Bechdel, found myself buried in the readings. Sadly, I regret to say that this class did not make me change my view of literary analysis and English classes, but I can say that I very much enjoyed my time in this class because it did manage to teach me quite a bit about myself.
My learning record for this class is much more than language, reflection, or use of prior experience. If a class that deals with reading books week in and week out allows you to find yourself within the texts, without designed to do so, I believe you have gained a much larger understanding of the world around you, both in literacy and perception.
I'm glad that I chose this class to fulfill my writing flag. I will admit I was scared going into this class since literary analysis is not a joyful subject to me, but I'm happy with my choice and I'm glad to have shared stories, news, gossip, analysis, and views on anything and everything with this group.
"It was a benign and well-lit underworld, admittedly, but odysseus sailing to hades could not have felt more trepidation than I did entering that room"- 210
So far all of my classes had been great, but last on my schedule and the one I had the most anticipation about was Gay and Lesbian Literature. I never really care about what I wear to class, but on the first day of this class I actually woke up early and thought about it. Not really having gay friends, this was to be my first experience convening with Gays and Lesbians, and I was nervous. Would they like me? Ooh what if theres a boy I like? I hope I can find a bestie. Walking down the stairs in the FAC i literally felt like I was going into an underworld, the long hallway stretching to our class room was even more intimidating and I immediately began having second thoughts about taking this class. Four months later, I have to admit my time in gay and lesb lit was probably one of the best decisions I've made during my college career. Whether or not my writing has improved or if I have learned to value the art of blogging feels irrelevant. The knowledge I've gained about myself, our community, and the confidence I've picked regarding my sexuality is what makes all the difference. I'd like to say thank you to the Gay and Lesbian authors we read who brazenly spoke their truths to a world that wasn't always ready for it. Thanks to professor S for creating an environment where a bunch of queers could get together, be themselves, and learn at the same time. And finally thanks to my classmates for instilling in me that Gay is not only what we see on TV or what I dream of my future life becoming. Instead, It is a motley crew of orientations, colors, opinions, styles, origins, and self identifying pronouns. I plan to take the lessons I've learned here throughout life and I look forward to seeing all of you on that journey.
Mike I'm so with you on this one! This class scared the living delights out of me at the beginning. I seriously have no gay friends and to be honest, I never really felt like I had a lot in common with lesbians aside from that I also too like girls haha. But I’m so glad I stuck it out because 1) Stephanie is amazing. 2) I’ve seriously learned a lot and 3) I find all of ya’ll hilarious. OH and I’d also like to comment on the whole wardrobe issue. Just to clarify, I have to dress up every Tuesday and Thursday for my sorority meetings. The other day I was talking to Laura and she mentioned that I dress up for class a lot all the time. Yeah, I’m strictly a t-shirt and jeans kind of girl and it would have been obvious if it would have seen that if it was a MWF class lol.
Fun Home has definitely turned out to be one of my favorite texts of the semester. Bechdel's ability to say so little in text but volumes through her illustrations is amazing. The last frame of chapter six on page 186 is a good example. The text only touches on her lack of diligence in maintaining her diary, but all the items on are desk are archival pieces of her life much more meaningful than almost anything she could have written in her diary at that age. Bechdel has taught me to appreciate personal history in a way that none of the other texts have. While previous texts have explored histories both personal and social, for some reason Bechdel's resonated with me much more strongly. Perhaps it is the hybrid text-image medium she uses; being able to see rather than have to imagine their pain allows me to connect with the text more. Regardless of what it is, I whole-heartedly agree with Mike. The real-life knowledge I have gained through this class seems to far out-weigh the academic benefits. This class is my fifth or sixth writing flag class I have taken, and I actually only needed a physics class to finish out my degree this semester. I felt the need to take a class more for myself and less for my degree, and this class certainly delivered. I have enjoyed learning about myself and the rest of you every class; thanks to Prof S and all you guys for a great last semester.
This class along with this book has taught me to see things in a new light. I would never have imagined that a graphic novel could have so much to analyze. It’s changed my perspective on how like Travis pointed out, little is said but yet you can take so much in. Looking back at the beginning of the semester when we looked at Sappho, I remember thinking that it was such a drag that we had to analyze so deeply into a stanza that was short as it is and half was missing. But now I see that it’s not necessary about quantity but rather the quality of the work that matters.
I love to read. So entering into this class was a joy for me. Although I didn't anticipate exactly how much reading we would be doing, I was up for the challenge and I am ever so glad that I was. I can remember walking into the classroom and seeing everyone for the first time and thinking to myself "am I the only one who took this class because I am gay?" As I scanned the room, I realized that maybe everyone else was thinking the exact same thing. I imagined the first class day was similar to someone's first AA meeting; feeling of nervousness and anxiety of what to expect filled the room. Not really knowing what to expect, I smiled and introduced myself and that was the beginning of what has been my favorite class at UT.
This book allowed me to reflect on myself not only as a student but as an individual. Its the little things that matter and the people who you draw a connection are the ones that remain a "memory" in your life. Just like the pictures in the book, each and every class and every book that we have read has been a picture that will remain in my mind forever. With the learning record being my archive and and memories and people that I have shared this experience with being my "pictures" I have developed my own personal "Fun Home"
Thank you guys for all the laughs and mind blowing moments! This is one class I will never forget!
(Haha, the funny thing is I was just going to bring up Bechdel's commentary on literary analysis as well!)
ReplyDeleteAnyways, I can completely relate with Alison here. I never found criticism engaging in the slightest. Soon, I knew how to spot archetypes and plot devices and in all of my other English classes it was just as my mom says, "same song, second verse."
However, this class was different. I was engaged in the texts, they /all/ were good, even the scientific ones, and I learned to appreciate style more so than technicalities. I felt soul come out of critical analyses that I never in a million years thought was ever possible.
Also, similar to Allison, the connections I drew to the texts helped me come to my own conclusions about my life, as well. I was learning much more about myself and all of my amazing classmates each and everyday. I've become okay with myself more and more, and this community we've made in class has helped us all in one way or the other, I'm sure.
In the end, I just want to say thank you to everyone. Professor S and all of y'all wonderful classmates/friends. It's been too much fun.
"I didn't understand why we couldn't just read the books without forcing contorted interpretations on them" (200).
ReplyDeleteMuch like Bechdel, I like to read for pleasure. I enjoyed all my English classes in high school but I hated whenever we had to analyze the works. Few books I've read for school, in any class, I've disliked. Despite the fact that I do not like to analyze text, I will say that I have learned to do so and know it to be a useful technique and sometimes catch myself doing so unconsciously when describing a book to a friend. (This is where Bechdel and I differ, for she is much better at it).
This class was no different from any of my other English classes. I liked most of the readings in the syllabus and often times, like Bechdel, found myself buried in the readings. Sadly, I regret to say that this class did not make me change my view of literary analysis and English classes, but I can say that I very much enjoyed my time in this class because it did manage to teach me quite a bit about myself.
My learning record for this class is much more than language, reflection, or use of prior experience. If a class that deals with reading books week in and week out allows you to find yourself within the texts, without designed to do so, I believe you have gained a much larger understanding of the world around you, both in literacy and perception.
I'm glad that I chose this class to fulfill my writing flag. I will admit I was scared going into this class since literary analysis is not a joyful subject to me, but I'm happy with my choice and I'm glad to have shared stories, news, gossip, analysis, and views on anything and everything with this group.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete"It was a benign and well-lit underworld, admittedly, but odysseus sailing to hades could not have felt more trepidation than I did entering that room"- 210
ReplyDeleteSo far all of my classes had been great, but last on my schedule and the one I had the most anticipation about was Gay and Lesbian Literature. I never really care about what I wear to class, but on the first day of this class I actually woke up early and thought about it. Not really having gay friends, this was to be my first experience convening with Gays and Lesbians, and I was nervous. Would they like me? Ooh what if theres a boy I like? I hope I can find a bestie. Walking down the stairs in the FAC i literally felt like I was going into an underworld, the long hallway stretching to our class room was even more intimidating and I immediately began having second thoughts about taking this class.
Four months later, I have to admit my time in gay and lesb lit was probably one of the best decisions I've made during my college career. Whether or not my writing has improved or if I have learned to value the art of blogging feels irrelevant. The knowledge I've gained about myself, our community, and the confidence I've picked regarding my sexuality is what makes all the difference.
I'd like to say thank you to the Gay and Lesbian authors we read who brazenly spoke their truths to a world that wasn't always ready for it. Thanks to professor S for creating an environment where a bunch of queers could get together, be themselves, and learn at the same time. And finally thanks to my classmates for instilling in me that Gay is not only what we see on TV or what I dream of my future life becoming. Instead, It is a motley crew of orientations, colors, opinions, styles, origins, and self identifying pronouns. I plan to take the lessons I've learned here throughout life and I look forward to seeing all of you on that journey.
Mike I'm so with you on this one! This class scared the living delights out of me at the beginning. I seriously have no gay friends and to be honest, I never really felt like I had a lot in common with lesbians aside from that I also too like girls haha. But I’m so glad I stuck it out because 1) Stephanie is amazing.
Delete2) I’ve seriously learned a lot and 3) I find all of ya’ll hilarious.
OH and I’d also like to comment on the whole wardrobe issue. Just to clarify, I have to dress up every Tuesday and Thursday for my sorority meetings. The other day I was talking to Laura and she mentioned that I dress up for class a lot all the time. Yeah, I’m strictly a t-shirt and jeans kind of girl and it would have been obvious if it would have seen that if it was a MWF class lol.
Fun Home has definitely turned out to be one of my favorite texts of the semester. Bechdel's ability to say so little in text but volumes through her illustrations is amazing. The last frame of chapter six on page 186 is a good example. The text only touches on her lack of diligence in maintaining her diary, but all the items on are desk are archival pieces of her life much more meaningful than almost anything she could have written in her diary at that age.
ReplyDeleteBechdel has taught me to appreciate personal history in a way that none of the other texts have. While previous texts have explored histories both personal and social, for some reason Bechdel's resonated with me much more strongly. Perhaps it is the hybrid text-image medium she uses; being able to see rather than have to imagine their pain allows me to connect with the text more.
Regardless of what it is, I whole-heartedly agree with Mike. The real-life knowledge I have gained through this class seems to far out-weigh the academic benefits. This class is my fifth or sixth writing flag class I have taken, and I actually only needed a physics class to finish out my degree this semester. I felt the need to take a class more for myself and less for my degree, and this class certainly delivered. I have enjoyed learning about myself and the rest of you every class; thanks to Prof S and all you guys for a great last semester.
This class along with this book has taught me to see things in a new light. I would never have imagined that a graphic novel could have so much to analyze. It’s changed my perspective on how like Travis pointed out, little is said but yet you can take so much in. Looking back at the beginning of the semester when we looked at Sappho, I remember thinking that it was such a drag that we had to analyze so deeply into a stanza that was short as it is and half was missing. But now I see that it’s not necessary about quantity but rather the quality of the work that matters.
ReplyDeleteI love to read. So entering into this class was a joy for me. Although I didn't anticipate exactly how much reading we would be doing, I was up for the challenge and I am ever so glad that I was. I can remember walking into the classroom and seeing everyone for the first time and thinking to myself "am I the only one who took this class because I am gay?" As I scanned the room, I realized that maybe everyone else was thinking the exact same thing. I imagined the first class day was similar to someone's first AA meeting; feeling of nervousness and anxiety of what to expect filled the room. Not really knowing what to expect, I smiled and introduced myself and that was the beginning of what has been my favorite class at UT.
ReplyDeleteThis book allowed me to reflect on myself not only as a student but as an individual. Its the little things that matter and the people who you draw a connection are the ones that remain a "memory" in your life. Just like the pictures in the book, each and every class and every book that we have read has been a picture that will remain in my mind forever. With the learning record being my archive and and memories and people that I have shared this experience with being my "pictures" I have developed my own personal "Fun Home"
Thank you guys for all the laughs and mind blowing moments! This is one class I will never forget!