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somewhat productive There is one man I revile above all others. I hate him more than the whiny rich kids on Laguna Beach, more than the dancing idiots in the Old Navy commercials, more than Paris Hilton. Well, that might be taking it a bit too far, but I really despise this man. His name? Ernest Hemingway.
I was first introduced to old Ernie in 10th grade Advanced English when he tortured me with 150 pages about a fish. I don’t like fish. I didn’t particularly want to read an entire book about one. And the whole epic Christ struggle metaphor- complete baloney.
Unfortunately, it didn’t stop there. The next year, I am subjected to 300 pages about a depressed soldier named Frederic. Somehow, I don’t think the author’s exactly doing his job of making his main character sympathetic when I’m cheering on the other side. “Cmon Germans, shoot him!!! He’s right there, and he’s got a limp. Easy target! Please, put him out of his misery; I can’t bear to listen to him anymore!!” And they never did kill him. Pity.
August 27 2005, 14:08:24 UTC 6 years ago
August 27 2005, 18:59:14 UTC 6 years ago
Anonymous
August 28 2005, 06:51:07 UTC 6 years ago
Unfortunately, the American education system doesn't really know how to teach properly. A good introduction to Hemingway in an Am Lit class would be a short story unit, opening with Poe, and then perhaps some Bierce and OHenry and some other guys, possibly some Irving (Washington, not John) after which you could get into Hemingway. And then maybe Faulkner and some other stuff. If the teacher is a tool, they might have you read Salinger, which would suck, because Salinger is an overrated piece of shit. But it would really explore the style of short fiction. A particularly ambitious class would also assign a couple of pieces of Japanese short fiction at the end to contrast the styles.
Must resist urge to become an English teacher . . . bad Will . . . No . . . *SLAP*
Much better. Carry on.
August 28 2005, 14:31:22 UTC 6 years ago
Maybe I should give Hemingway a second shot, but I honestly don't think it would help. I usually pride myself in enjoying classics but there's a sparseness to Hemingway's style that I find completely unbearable. I think it's the Southerner in me who can get "drunk" on words. Faulkner, Williams, Conroy. The more flowery the better.
But this is actually the intro to my oratory in debate which deals with faults in the American educational system's way of teaching literature. At the speech's end I do reconcile myself to Hemingway to some extent.
I doubt he's someone I'll ever enjoy though. Appreciate, maybe, but not enjoy.
Anonymous
August 28 2005, 17:31:17 UTC 6 years ago
Good guess
Oops - I suppose I thought you were one of his friends I had already been introduced to. Apologies. Yes, I'm English major Will.If you really don't like Hemingway's spareness, then I agree that it might not be worth another try. Faulkner . . . now that guy could write. However, I'm not a huge Tennessee Williams fan. Never have been, can't bring myself to be.
Another underappreciate segment of Am Lit is African American short fiction. If the school system's good you'll read The Invisible Man and maybe Native Son (novels both), but short stories like Autobiography of An Ex-Colored Man really get the short end of the stick.
August 28 2005, 12:12:47 UTC 6 years ago
i agree completely, amy
although my hatred cannot compare to yours
August 28 2005, 21:21:40 UTC 6 years ago
September 1 2005, 21:38:06 UTC 6 years ago
Anonymous
August 9 2006, 15:26:15 UTC 5 years ago
much love
your lovely lollard princess