Post 5 - Have a look

[Devin Healy]

I think it's safe to say that Graff and Christian have acted as the catalysts prompting record high levels of discussion within yesterday's class, so it's only fitting to combine their thoughts with those of my own regarding the practice and/or study of theory. While I cannot say with confidence that I believe in the entirety of Graff's message, differing on the grounds of whether or not the study of literary theory is a necessity, I do however believe that it must be approached in a manner that is more effective in the cultivation of truer understanding within students. The current method, in which theories are compartmentalized so that each one has a definitive place within literary history is the epitome of a structuralist thought process, relishing in its own irony. If we can find a way to blend a holistic examination of literature that examines it primarily as a form of expression and also acknowledges the role it played in the eyes of society, rather than trying to constantly derive an author's intent by its subscription to a particular theory, then theoretical regurgitation can make way for actual retention. In the modern day classroom we as students must understand that the very concept of theorization was born in a time when humans were full of more questions than answers, and while its informative nature is undeniable it is impractical to try and super-impose those same ideas into the analyses of contemporary literature.

Alright so hopefully I covered my ground on the classwork related portion of this post and with that said I'd just like to offer a little personal insight that I'd like to share with any of you that boldly dare to click on this thread in a couple of hours, considering I'm writing this at 4:45 in the morning. First things first, consider this as me giving us all a digital pat on the back.

In an ever growing society of few readers and even fewer writers, we say... fuck that.

We are the last of a dying breed.

Whether or not theory is your cup of tea, we spend our days reading the words of some of humanity's greatest minds, we expose ourselves (or Andrew exposes to us) a variety of fields of study, ideologies, and trains of thought that, at the very least, can only serve to open our minds. We develop the tools that allow us to engage in thought provoking conversation rather than just clamoring on about "how wasted we got last night" or Miley Cyrus' eyebrows. We rule.

[Andrew Reynolds]

Dood, but did you SEE those eyebrows on Nietzsche?! 

Seriously, I second your thought. Being around smart, interesting people all day sometimes makes me forget what the rest of the world is like sometimes. I am proud of all of you for doing what you do to raise the collective bar.