As you may have guessed from my title, I am delighted that such a blog has been started, and I do hope to hear from many of you. Besides, I am competitive by nature and I would like to do what I can to one up the other disciplines (written with a smile). And of course it is only fitting that we should be writing to each other. I have already gathered some book recommendations from the postings, and so I thought I would offer you a preview of my summer reading plans. First and foremost, I will be performing repeated readings of P.D. Eastman's Are You My Mother to my daughter, Meg. My longing for stage stardom is somewhat pacified by the rapt attention of my son and daughter. I wish you could hear how I make that baby birdie cry, "I want my mother!" In addition to a plethora of Bernstein Bear books (in spite of their matriarchal fanfare), I completed reading Cry, the Beloved Country several weeks ago while riding on my recumbent bike. Any words I use to try and describe that work will sound cliche. Read it. I am now reading Dumas' The Count of Monte Cristo, and for some reason every time I say the title I want to say "Crisco." Perhaps this tendency is some Freudian slip for my belief in the richness of this book. No - more then likely it is due to my obsession with baked goods. Anyway, I believe The Count of Monte Cristo to be the perfect summer read; the setting alone takes you to salty air, sunshine, and adventure. What captivates me most is really the story. Quite frankly, I am longing for a good story so that I can read without a furrowed brow and remember that good really does prevail, or rather, good has prevailed. And I am sorry to end by breaking one of my pet peeves of writing: do not overuse a word and avoid using words that are vague, like "good." My excuse is summer, the honeysuckled air, and the indulgence of it all.
C. Gleason
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Fairy Tales: Reflections or Mirages?
By Christine Moussa
Note: First of all, let me say that I'm really excited about this blog for the PBU English Ed. majors (thanks for starting this, Lisa)! I always enjoy reading what other English Ed. majors write and I'm excited to be a part of this :o) For the past couple of days I've been thinking a lot about the juxtaposition of fiction and reality... the result is the note I've written below; I hope you enjoy :o)
I love stories. I love telling them and I love hearing others tell theirs – especially when they have hilarious endings. Stories efficaciously enable us to do what we live for (or part of what we live for): connecting with one another. Think of it this way, when I tell you a story, it’s as if I’ve taken you back in time to re-watch a scene of my life with me – you hadn’t been a part of it before, but now, through my story, it’s like you never missed a thing.
Alright, so it’s fun to share stories about our lives, but what about fictional stories? What is the purpose of fairy tales in life? Do they serve a noble purpose? Or are they merely puerile tales that simply help free the mind from the ennui of reality? It’s true, they’re enchanting – but why? What is it about a princess' life that has girls mesmerized for life?
Do fairy tales – and other fictional works – serve as reflections of life? Can they effectively symbolize, demonstrate, and express the truth (or at least aspects of it)? Or are they more like mirages? Merely optical illusions that mislead us into placing our hopes in deceptive fantasies… resulting in nothing but maladroit moments in the real world?
I think it’s hard to say whether fairy tales are reflections or mirages because… I can definitely see how both options are true.
I can see fairy tales serving as reflections of the truth (believe it or not, I have met a person who was prompted to come to Christ after watching Beauty and the Beast). It helps that, in all stories there exists what we call “universal themes”. And yes, there are more themes than the obvious “Oh! I’m waiting for my Prince Charming!” one (thank goodness!) like the value of inner beauty, family, and the search for identity.
However, I can see the same stories becoming mirages in our lives. A girl can easily become enraptured by reveries of pulchritude. And if you actually abide by the whole “follow your heart” and “dreams come true” deal (I mean, really get yourself absorbed in this philosophy) you’ll (hopefully) discover that reality isn’t always so deferent to your hopes.
So what’s the difference? How can a fictional work have both effects?
Well, dear friend, I believe the arcane factor contributing to this enigma is… you (and me).
Before I continue, let me provide a brief metaphor:
Whenever we read the Bible it’s vital for us to understand the verses in light of one another. If you took out a verse from the Bible and failed to see how it connected to its context, you can easily make wrong assumptions about its message and twist it to support an anti-Biblical statement. (Satan used this technique when he tempted Jesus in the wilderness). So it’s important to read verses in light of the entire message of the Bible (and this is accomplished with the guidance of the Holy Spirit!).
In the same way, whenever we read a story (like a fairy tale), we need to interpret it in light of the overarching story of life. Whether you realize it or not (and hopefully, if you’re a Christian, you do) there is one story for all humankind (at PBU we call it the Creation/Fall/Redemption narrative). Every person you see, every aspect of creation, everything is involved in this one story. And since us humans are involved, everything we do – including every story we write – becomes a reflection of this one story. Think about it: even when you read a story reflecting a secular perception of the world, you’re still seeing an aspect of the overarching narrative - the fall of man.
Consequently, it’s extremely important to interpret everything we read and watch in light of the absolute truth: the Biblical understanding of our world. We should never acquiesce in the various forms of entertainment, but should seek to filter their messages in light of Scripture. (I feel as though I’ve stated this about a dozen times by now – sorry).
So rest assured, dear friends, we can all still enjoy those good-old tales of pixie dust, fairies, glass slippers, magic spells, and random musical encounters in the woods ;o) Just be careful not to lean too far into that wishing well…
Alright, so it’s fun to share stories about our lives, but what about fictional stories? What is the purpose of fairy tales in life? Do they serve a noble purpose? Or are they merely puerile tales that simply help free the mind from the ennui of reality? It’s true, they’re enchanting – but why? What is it about a princess' life that has girls mesmerized for life?
Do fairy tales – and other fictional works – serve as reflections of life? Can they effectively symbolize, demonstrate, and express the truth (or at least aspects of it)? Or are they more like mirages? Merely optical illusions that mislead us into placing our hopes in deceptive fantasies… resulting in nothing but maladroit moments in the real world?
I think it’s hard to say whether fairy tales are reflections or mirages because… I can definitely see how both options are true.
I can see fairy tales serving as reflections of the truth (believe it or not, I have met a person who was prompted to come to Christ after watching Beauty and the Beast). It helps that, in all stories there exists what we call “universal themes”. And yes, there are more themes than the obvious “Oh! I’m waiting for my Prince Charming!” one (thank goodness!) like the value of inner beauty, family, and the search for identity.
However, I can see the same stories becoming mirages in our lives. A girl can easily become enraptured by reveries of pulchritude. And if you actually abide by the whole “follow your heart” and “dreams come true” deal (I mean, really get yourself absorbed in this philosophy) you’ll (hopefully) discover that reality isn’t always so deferent to your hopes.
So what’s the difference? How can a fictional work have both effects?
Well, dear friend, I believe the arcane factor contributing to this enigma is… you (and me).
Before I continue, let me provide a brief metaphor:
Whenever we read the Bible it’s vital for us to understand the verses in light of one another. If you took out a verse from the Bible and failed to see how it connected to its context, you can easily make wrong assumptions about its message and twist it to support an anti-Biblical statement. (Satan used this technique when he tempted Jesus in the wilderness). So it’s important to read verses in light of the entire message of the Bible (and this is accomplished with the guidance of the Holy Spirit!).
In the same way, whenever we read a story (like a fairy tale), we need to interpret it in light of the overarching story of life. Whether you realize it or not (and hopefully, if you’re a Christian, you do) there is one story for all humankind (at PBU we call it the Creation/Fall/Redemption narrative). Every person you see, every aspect of creation, everything is involved in this one story. And since us humans are involved, everything we do – including every story we write – becomes a reflection of this one story. Think about it: even when you read a story reflecting a secular perception of the world, you’re still seeing an aspect of the overarching narrative - the fall of man.
Consequently, it’s extremely important to interpret everything we read and watch in light of the absolute truth: the Biblical understanding of our world. We should never acquiesce in the various forms of entertainment, but should seek to filter their messages in light of Scripture. (I feel as though I’ve stated this about a dozen times by now – sorry).
So rest assured, dear friends, we can all still enjoy those good-old tales of pixie dust, fairies, glass slippers, magic spells, and random musical encounters in the woods ;o) Just be careful not to lean too far into that wishing well…
Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
This is the historic first entry of the official blog for PBU English majors. I expect this to soon be filled full of pictures, stories, ideas, and tons of creativity! I'm eager to hear what you guys have on your minds. You can share about a book you are reading or just finished, a movie that you thought was cool, songs that inspire you, interesting places you go to or heard of, ideas you have for us, pretty much anything that you want. I will start with what's been on my mind. :)
I am completely obsessed with the musical Wicked, which I'm sure many of you are familiar with. When I was younger I read many of the L. Frank Baum's Oz books from my library and as soon as I heard the Broadway soundtrack I was hooked to this new story. I went to see it in Philly a couple years ago, already knowing all the music, and it was completely amazing. I finally got around to reading the book by Gregory Maguire this summer. I was hesitant because I heard it was kind of dirty. It was much darker than it's musical retelling, but I actually kind of loved the book. Elphaba is a fascinating and intricite character, and it had some thought provoking themes about the nature of good and evil and the dymanics of family relationships and friendships. It actually dealt a lot with religious themes, such as asking if there is a God and even going into predestination and the nature of the human soul. I would really encourage you guys to read it, even just so I can discuss it with someone.
Also, I am going to see Idina Menzel, the original wicked witch (Elphaba) from Broadway, in concert at the Mann Center in June. (She is also Rachel's mother in Glee and is Nancy in Enchanted, if you guys aren't Broadway buffs.) It's an outdoor theater, and you can get tickets on the lawn for only ten bucks. Check it out!
~Lisa~
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