Today
was definitely the most liberating of classes that I have taken so far at the
University of Michigan. For all of high school, the word “I” in an analytical,
or even any academic, essay was taboo. But today, “I” was freed from its unjust
prison sentence and reintroduced to my vocabulary. Not only will this make
analytical papers more personal, but this unlocks a multitude of different
types of writing and analysis; one of the most necessary steps on my journey to
becoming a better writer is the ability both to appreciate and to create
different types of writing.
Also this week, we explored how
vision manifests itself in writing through Annie Dillard’s Seeing. In Seeing,
Dillard explores the concept of how our own sight may be hindered by blinding
notions that we accept as truth. While talking about what an amoebae confined
to a tank would tell its descendants, Dillard states, “Yes, it would tell its
fissioned descendants, the universe is two feet by five, and if you listen
closely you can head the buzzing music of the spheres” (Dillard 5). The amoebae
has no reason to believe that there would be any other world outside of its
tank; it is blinded by its inability to leave the tank, and it will perpetuate
that blindness to the generations that come after it. However, part of the
amoebae’s contagious blindness, or any blindness, is that it doesn’t actively
know that it is blind. Dillard’s idea is particularly thought provoking
because, like the amoebae, we have no means of identifying our blindness until
it is proven to us; often times, we know that we are blind, but we do not know
how to see. Dillard uses such a simple example as a microcosm to show the
reader his or her own blindness and lack of vision caused by perspective and
preconceived notions. She also suggests that if we listen closely and fully
invest ourselves, we can hear more; however, this hearing is not always true.
However far we venture for truth and whatever discoveries we make, our findings
can still be erroneous nonetheless due to obstructed vision. It is not our
fault that we are blind, for who are we to disagree with generations of dogma,
but we must open our eyes to expand our vision instead of closing our minds
with blind acceptance.
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ReplyDeleteEthan makes a very interesting point in his first paragraph. Besides from my one personal essay last year, I have never been allowed to use the first person pronoun, "I," in any high-school essay. Being able to use "I" in the first essay of this year will unlock many rigid boundaries. I will be freer to express my true opinion as opposed to just a general sentiment. Also, my own voice will shine through my writing, adding more personality and insight to my work. This will allow my writing to be unique, not just a different version of an essay written by every other writer in my class. Incorporating my voice into my work opens the door to many more creative writing opportunities, launching me one step further onto my path as a writer.
ReplyDeleteThe Dillard quote on page 5 was poetic, in particular when she says “the universe is two feet by five.” In just a few words she reveals to the audience how their definition of “the universe" is merely their’s because it is the only environment they immediately experience, and how there is so much more beyond it — just like how the amoebae only experiences the tank. This idea that you pointed out, which you refer to repeatedly as a sort of “blindness,” is one that I, personally, find depressing because we are ultimately in the same position of the amoebae which means that we are so oblivious to so much of the universe that we will never have the privilege of experiencing. I agree with you that Dillard succeeded in making a difficult concept easy to comprehendible by using such a simple example of how we are blinded to the trust and always will be.
ReplyDeleteEthan and Jolie have shed light on something that was a shock to me as well. The fact that we can use first person in an analytical essay was amazing news to me. As a writer, I enjoy using personal anecdotes to draw in my reader. I think it is a great way to make a piece of writing personable and let your audience get to know you. In high school analytical essays were always hardest for me and being able to write in the first person is going to make it feel more natural to me.
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