"I'm not a great writer. I'm a great re-writer."
As you may remember, my research paper rough draft was due during the last crazy week I wrote about. My draft was okay, a piece of literature I felt satisfied shoving into my binder and dragging out in class as proof of the several hours spent researching and writing. I refused to look over it for five or six days, planning to tweak a few flaws, maybe rearrange a couple of paragraphs, spell-check, and turn in. However, the Monday before its due date, our teacher allowed us fifteen minutes of class-time for editing. She also provided a handy editing worksheet to guide our thoughts. As I looked over my paper, I could definitely notice some weaker paragraphs and arguments. More importantly however, I could see how my thesis was... rather boring. My arguments lacked... personality. The paper was just blah. B, at best. Bland. Banal. And then, in a flash of insight, I realized that in writing the paper I had focused too much on others' opinions, thereby drawing away from my main purpose and message. I spent a furious three minutes scribbling down my plans for a new thesis and the restructuring of my paragraphs. I didn't have much time to rework my paper that night, so the next night, the night before the paper was due, I sat down in front of the computer. I played inspiring music. And I changed my thesis. Then I did what I do best writing-wise: I rewrote. Every single word of my six-page paper changed. I stayed up later than I wanted, but I was happy. I was satisfied. I was ready to turn in that paper! And B turned from bland boring and banal to beautiful, better, and brilliant. Probably the best research paper I have ever written, and I had so much fun! The extra time I spent rewriting was well-spent, as I realized when I received my graded paper back this past Monday with 190 points out of 200: A!
The Hebrews and Heroism
A certain amount of scripture study is to be expected at BYU; after all, we have required religion classes. However, my comparative literature class has moved from study of the Greeks and Romans to a study of the Hebrews. The Hebrews are fascinating. Although relatively inconsequential to the surrounding civilizations at the time, Hebrew literature has greatly influenced western civilization now. The majority of the preserved Hebrew texts are preserved in the Bible, so we have read Genesis, Job, Ruth, Esther, and are now working on Psalms and Proverbs. It's been extremely interesting to study the Bible from a scholarly perspective--for example, next Tuesday we have an essay due comparing the nature of heroism within the three "epics" we have read thus far: Genesis, The Aeneid, and The Odyssey. Although I have not yet written my paper, I have definitely noticed some differences. The Odyssey and The Aeneid focus on the hero's ability to vanquish physical obstacles--for example, Odysseus escaping the Cyclops through his cunning or Aeneus fighting through hordes of Greeks. Genesis deals with the hero's ability to overcome internal or spiritual obstacles, culminating in Joseph of Egypt, who overcame some of the most psychologically damaging experiences--hatred from his brothers, being sold as a slave, and being wrongfully imprisoned. Despite all this he helps Pharaoh, remains true to his faith, resists the advances of his master's wife, and forgives his brothers. Needless to say, I think it will be an intriguing topic to write about.
Job: Literary and Philosophical Perspectives
Besides studying heroism in Genesis we also discussed the book of Job in detail. Apparently, many critics and scholars of ancient texts believe that the book of Job, in the original Hebrew text, demonstrates some of the greatest literary mastery ever written--in the exploitation of literary devices, diction, and structure. Besides it's literary merit however, it is a philosophical tale, comparable to many of Plato's writings and Voltaire's Candide (though Candide is a satire). Although I fell asleep once while struggling through some of Job's friends reasoning, discussing Job in class (and reading much of it) was very interesting. Job presents two fundamental questions: what is righteousness? and why do the righteous suffer? In class we discussed the significance of God's final words to Job, which explain that he was not being punished, but rather tested to prove to him (Job), his own righteousness. Though Job doubted and was somewhat persuaded by his friends, he learned that suffering is not necessarily punishment for sin. Brother Peer expressed it as, "God didn't punish Job, he just took away his blessings." This brings up another philosophical point--can we, natural men, be righteous for righteousness' sake? or do we only keep the commandments with the promise of blessings? Job is an example of being righteous for righteousness' sake--something most psychologists would deem impossible. Brother Peer also brought up the fact that a covenant--in the sense of the Abrahamic covenant--is not a contract. In a contract, both parties agree to fulfill their end of the bargain. However, in a covenant, one party agrees to the other party's terms, regardless of the other's actions. This means for Job, by promising to keep the Abrahamic covenant, he was bound to his word, even when God did not bless him for his faithfulness. As we discussed this in class, we discussed the idea of, to put it in my words, God's timing. God did not bless Job immediately, but Job received more than what he originally had because he endured his trials. I had never considered Job so seriously before, knowing the story and the general implications but not the deeper spiritual and philosophical meanings. In addition, for my religion class we have been reading chapters from Isaiah. Although I always found Isaiah rather difficult to understand, this time around I found him to be much more powerful. Perhaps I am becoming accustomed to Biblical language, similes, and descriptions. That's a happy thought.
A Trip to the Mall and Utah Weather
To leave philosophical musings and turn to the more mundane, it got cold over the weekend. Really cold. Saturday morning Becca ran a 5k (she's amazing like that) and afterwards we got breakfast with Josh. (Mm...cereal and a donut). When we returned outside, it was snowing. Yes, my friends, I said SNOW in an October entry. Becca was quite happy and spent some time with her arms spread out wide and her mouth open to receive the flakes in exuberant, classic childhood fashion. It was at this point that I poignantly realized my need for a good, sturdy winter jacket. Josh and Becca agreed to accompany me to the mall, as they both needed personal items as well. Becca had a Bath and Body Works gift card she wanted to spend and Josh wanted a belt and hat. So we figured out which bus we needed to take, where to buy tickets, and what time to be at the stop. Upon arriving at the mall, we searched through coats until I found one: beautifully purple, with elastic at the end of the arms (to prevent wind from entering), long enough, with a good hood and insulation. Victory! We also found Josh a belt and hat and Becca spent her gift card. She also had what is called a "Hot dog on a stick," which was, in reality, a corn dog. I was rather amused by the name and striped hats given out with children's meals, and so spent the time documenting her eating experience with my camera, much to her gratification, I am sure. All in all, it was quite a fun shopping experience, especially when we dressed up in capes and berets and asked a passerby to take our picture. I was definitely glad I bought the coat as the next morning it was 27 degrees as I walked to church. Oh, just by the way, none of the snow stuck at all. Not even for an hour. Not even for a minute. I am seriously not complaining though, as I am sure I will see plenty of snow over the next few months. Anyways, it has fortunately warmed up over this week. This afternoon we were back in the upper 60s. However, last weekend acted as a taste of winter, and though enjoyable in some respects, I will, by all means, hang onto fall as long as possible.
A Poetic Experience
Earlier in the week, I saw a flyer advertising a lecture by a poet. As I am, in a small sense, a poet myself and, in a large sense, a great appreciator of poetry, I decided to take some initiative and attend the lecture, especially as refreshments would be served ("if you feed them, they will come"). The poet was Robert Wrigley, whose poetry I had never read. However, I have now met him and I own a book he wrote, signed by him. His readings were quite powerful, and I really enjoyed some of the poems he read and his use of language, though I didn't always enjoy his topic. I'm including a sample:
"Even the slug glister looms: perfect firmaments,
polestar and moon, only now
my eyes too focus on the blur of the bells,
fingertip whorls spin sudden into music.
It is like drowning, chorus and string,
a billion breath-moaned horns breaking like waves."
-earthly meditations "Why Do the Crickets Sing?" pg. 123
So I had a nice time and enjoyed hearing his suggestions on writing (read, read, read, write, write write, more or less) and his suggestions on reading (Shakespeare, Frost, James, Collins, Yates, Keats, and Stevens)
Conclusion
So the past couple of weeks have been good. I'm really enjoying all the learning--I feel as if I am being filled with new perspectives, thoughts, and ideas--exposed to philosophy, religion, science, and literature, which in the end is coming together to enhance who I am. Just like reading makes a writer better, learning makes a person better, regardless of what is studied. My hall is still amazing--I love getting to know the girls better and learning interesting and unusual facts about their lives. Becca is still an incredible roommate who helps me become a better person, BYU is still helping me with the four aims of education, and the mountains are beautiful with snow.
Life continues rolling on and, regardless of challenges, it is good.
Job 13:15
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