For those of you reading this who are not English majors, you may disagree with the title but hear me out :) For those of you who are and agree, enjoy the following and let me know your thoughts :) For those who are wondering what on earth I mean, I mean a major in a university degree not the nationality of a position in the Army! This post is for those people who, after asking what my major is and I tell them, go..."Whaaat?? Why?! Why would you choose THAT?" To which I sometimes reply, "Why not?" :)
I know that many fellow students (and those who are coming to school or those who have completed it) may have had a struggle settling on a major. However, that was never an issue for me. Ever since I can remember I have loved the subject of English, both the mechanics (grammar, punctuation and all that) and the literature. It grew from a love of spelling and being so proud of always making it to the top 3 kids of the class spelling bees, to loving the books studied in junior high and high school to being excited about extremely focused courses in university. I was THRILLED upon receiving the course guide and seeing a full-year, 6 credit hour course in Shakespeare alone. Absolutely great. Since being at uni I have taken courses in Canadian literature, Middle English texts, Shakespeare, literature from the Romantic period, texts written by female authors, Victorian poetry and 20th century American drama. Such variety! There are so many more I would love to take but I have run out of time!
There are 2 simple reasons why I chose English as my major. 1. I love English :) 2. Because it is my declared major I have to take many, many courses and hours (36 hours to be exact) to complete it - therefore forcing me to take the subject I love :)
Setting aside the major aspect of it, there are other reasons why I love English. To me there is something very thrilling about reading/studying a piece of literature that was written many decades, or even centuries ago, and finding that the author has perfectly conveyed my own thoughts and emotions that I am experiencing that day. OR, in more general terms, the way they convey ideas and arguments in such creative ways! The human race has not changed. All the same emotions are felt. And English literature, to me, spans generations and time eras and ties it all together.
For those friends and family reading this who know that I am awful in math and the sciences...this is why. It is because in Math there is only 1 right answer...only 1! Science is mostly theories, some proven, some not. English? No one right answer. It is a matter of opinions, thoughts and the ability to express them and to draw them out of what you are reading and substantiate it with evidence from the text. And it is THIS that has provided the fuel and material for the countless English classes at uni shared with great friends (you know who you are!), the memories that have been made, the life lessons that have been learned, the experiences with different profs and the overall enjoyment of literature :) That is why it is THE best.
You may also consider, though, that lots of things published as "English Literature" are very much theoretical works dedicated not necessarily to the author's emotions and 'place in the world,' but rather to examining why humanity, as a whole, is the way it is. I'm thinking of Locke, Pope, Swift, Defoe...simply, rather than just "conveying emotions" unto the readers across the centuries, these authors are actually encouraging us to consider how the human race HAS changed. That makes some Lit. more scientific than you might think..and there are certainly many 'unproven' theories. I think that's pretty cool! Don't you??
ReplyDeleteAnd also, (sorry! ;) ) is formulating new 'theories' not more or less the entire basis of scholarship, regardless of one's area of study? Don't get me wrong..I'm certainly not pro-mathematics. :p
ReplyDeleteHey! I know where you are coming from re. the theoretical works, but give me an example, please, as to how the human race has changed? Want to be sure we're thinking the same thing... I guess I never really thought about literature having theories (either proven or not) but it's true! A different perspective but a good one! Thanks :) And something would be definitely wrong if I though you were pro-math. :)
ReplyDeleteRead John Locke's 'An Essay Concerning Human Understanding.' It's proof that all Lit. doesn't have to follow the rising action/climax/denouement 'typical' plot structure...it's scientifically backed. Also, it was one of the foremost empiricist works of the 17th century. Reputing innate ideas, it examines how humans develop mentally and philosophically through sensory experience...'living in the world,' rather than just 'being a part of it,' if the distinction is clear.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'll do that :)
DeleteHave you read it yet?
ReplyDeleteUmmmm I saw that it was 4 books long and so I got rather overwhelmed :s Which book should I read??
DeleteSeriously?! I thought you were an English major :p...Read all four. Or at least, the first one.
ReplyDeleteYou forget that I am not in school at present and therefore don't have time to read all 4 books :D You studied all four in school?!? And low insult there... :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, 'cause I had oodles of time to study them, too. Haha. I read them over a couple of days...not like reading Austen, where we get three weeks to talk about it in class. Pretty sure I was assigned Locke on a Friday, discussed it on Monday, and moved on. Haha. Nice try, though. :p
ReplyDeleteLook, I don't mean to start a comment war. I just think that if you're such a proud English major who's dedicated to your craft, you can make time! :) That's all.
ReplyDeletelol - quite the dialogue here.. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks :) Do join in on the discussion ;)
DeleteThere can't even begin to be a discussion until you 'find time' to read the material. Just so you know, I didn't suggest that you read Locke so we can discuss it. It's for your own growth as an 'English Major.' And, like you said, we're not in school...haha.
ReplyDelete