I wrote that down today in class. It's a quote from the British novelist C.S. Lewis and it really made think about our cyber community here and the stories we read and write daily for that incessant need to communicate with the world and share our lives and sometimes very intimate thoughts. We do read to know there are others out there and we smile every time someone chimes in with a word or two.
We're not alone. Interesting........
So I'm officially the president of the Professor Marcus University Fan Club and I follow him around every Tuesday and Thursday to Victorian Poetry and Modern Literature. Today was the first day of school and as I drove on to campus I felt that familiar, addictive rush and excitement that I absolutely LOVE. Actually, I got teary-eyed but I didn't want to confess... in the spirit of sharing I might as well: I am sap! There, now you know.
So, why does the novel matter?
Professor Marcus threw that out there very nonchalantly like he was asking to describe our winter vacation or talk about our pets on show-and-tell day. Needless to say it turned into a great discussion about life and love and completeness and the conscious and unconscious and the metaphysical and Jungian and on and on and on...
The novel is the one bright book of life. Books are not life. They are only tremulations of the ether. But the novel as a tremulation can make the whole man tremble." - DH LawrenceMy friend Marcela, who happens to be a wonderful artist and photographer, asked me why I wanted to teach not too long ago. It slipped out rather seamlessly that I just couldn't think of a better way to change the world. That literature was just my excuse to be there and although I loved it, teaching and reaching out to others was my true passion and motivation.
I asked a young classmate today how come she was dropping her pre-med major. She looked at me straight in the eyes and said: "I can live without science, but I can't live without [art]."
Need I say more?
Carpe Diem!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(pictures via vi.sualize.us)
In the end, what should drive us to do what we do is an undying passion for progress. It is a selfish pursuit to want to leave one's fingerprints on a world we'll eventually leave behind, but it's how we make progress. It's how it works. Carpe diem, indeed.
carpe diem.. there is nothing else to say :)
Yes, seize the carp! That's what I say.
Nothing of any more depth or intelligence to add right now, until I've actually had time to give this a thorough read. :)
Okay I'm back.
As pertains to the blogging experience...The way I see it our life begins as a blank canvas, the painting being formed through a sum of our life experiences. Words are the paint we use to express our portrait to others.
As pertains to any form of literature...A composition passionately written will move me far greater than any classic painting or sculpture ever could.
At the risk of seeming obsessive (as this is my third comment in a row), I'm dropping by to let you know I just gave out some awards on my blog. You're in there. :)
Daniiiiii... I totally agree! I say be selfish and follow that stupid, stupid dream:) Glad to know you're there!
Nitin... YEAH!
Barry... this wouldn't be a post without a few of your comments. C'mon, I LOVES YOU! I guess I learned all of this a bit late in life and I want to make sure no one else wastes any time. I REALLY, REALLY suggest you google DH Lawrence's "Why The Novel Matters" essay. It's only about 4 pages long... apart from being a wonderful story teller, he's a fantastic essayist. Thanks for my award! YAY! I have to post it on my page:))))
"Why The Novel Matters" huh? Well, since it's DH Lawrence I don't think it would be much of a hardship to read. Wonder if it has any steamy scenes? Hmm.
Wait, I know. How 'bout "Lady Chatterly's Novel"?
Yummy. That would stir the intellectual senses and....
Never mind. Different topic, different blog. :)
Just got your comment. You're SO bad!! :)