November 01, 2002

Keep it to yourself

I have this freakish ability to analyze literature. A few minutes after reading a poem or story I can describe complex layers of meaning, expose subtle symbols, and list various alternate interpretations of the work. I hardly ever use this despite it getting me into various 'honors' programs over the years. Many of my former teachers and classmates saw me while I was in college and were suprised to learn that I wasn't majoring in English or History (capital letters mean something). I never liked using my ability simply because very early on - from the first time I ever used it - I realized that what I say about a poem or story absolutely doesn't matter at all to anybody. Sitting around listening to other people tell their little theories about stories is a fucking waste of time - you have to feel the meaning when you read it yourself - the rest is just intellectual masturbation.

November 1, 2002 12:05 AM