I realized today what was missing from the English classes here: they have very little concept of the close reading. All the discussion, such as it is, rests on very broad, general topics. Nobody quotes the book or even points to passages to back up their point.
That was the type of discussion I preferred. Granted, that's because 1) I wasn't an English major so close discussion of reading assignments wasn't my focus and 2) it was easier to make stuff up when I hadn't done the reading myself.
That said, when I actually did the reading (which did happen on occasion), I actually got more out of a close discussion, so I definitely see where you're coming from.
And I'm a little shocked that I've managed to absorb enough about litcrit over the past three years to write all that. Huh.
Those moments where I realize that I really learned something from just doing and observing like that always throw me. :)
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2005-05-24 07:20 pm (UTC)That was the type of discussion I preferred. Granted, that's because 1) I wasn't an English major so close discussion of reading assignments wasn't my focus and 2) it was easier to make stuff up when I hadn't done the reading myself.
That said, when I actually did the reading (which did happen on occasion), I actually got more out of a close discussion, so I definitely see where you're coming from.
And I'm a little shocked that I've managed to absorb enough about litcrit over the past three years to write all that. Huh.
Those moments where I realize that I really learned something from just doing and observing like that always throw me. :)
Yay on the essays!