My Paper

What I Know Now, That I Didn't Know Then

Literature has not only made me a more interesting person, it has taught me to dig deeper and appreciate the work of many authors, poets, and artists. Our class has truely been a highlight in my busy semester, whether it is Professor Sexson's outlook on life, Garrett and Tim's out of the ordinary viewpoints, or even the interesting discussions we have as a class. It is true; there are many things I know now that I didn't know then.

Poetry is something I have never really took the time to enjoy. Some of the poetry we have read in this class, such as Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening, Batter My Heart, and The Second Coming, have made me fascinated with the aspect of poetry and how beautiful it can be. Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening is a very simply poem, and I truly believe that because of its' simplicity, that is what makes it so special. Just because there is nothing jumping out to grab your attention, it makes you think of a deeper meaning and analyze what the author is trying to say. Sonnets are another part of poetry that can be used as a form or therapy. Coming into the poetry and sonnet section of our class, I was only familiar of Shakespeare's famous sonnet, Sonnet 18. After learning about quatrains, couplets, and the differences in the meters of poetry, I have only begun to understand how much work is really put into a great sonnet. Sonnet therapy is self prescribed. It is the practice of writing sonnets to let your feelings out in an artistic form. Maybe it will take ten sonnets to make a difference in your life, but imagine how great a person may feel after they write twenty or thirty sonnets. Another important concept I have learned in this class is that poetry can exsist anywhere. If you look hard enough, the simplest everyday items can form a poem. It is really fun to see what kinda of poems you can find. After we did the assignment on found poetry, I still catch myself making poems out of simple items such as my lotion bottle and even signs around campus. When a person can express themselves in a way that is meaning to them, it opens a new door. In the words of Professor Sexson, "how do I know what I think, until I see what I say?" Through writing and expressing myself on paper and blogs, I have learned that it is much easier to know how I feel when I write it out and analyze the facts.

On a much deeper note, our class has talked over and over again about the tragic sense of life. When a human begins to learnt hat all life is in some ways continual pain, it may almost appear that there is no purpose or life meaning. A person will only feel this way if they allow it. By setting reachable goals and being thankful for what we have in our lives, it is easy to go to bed every night and feel as if there is a purpose for each of us in this world. In a world of tragedy, misfortune, and heartbreak, it is important to seize the day and make our lives extraordinary.

Another interesting topic we have covered in Literature class is the topic of there being no boring books, just boring people. In my opinion, I would have to disagree. If there is a book that does not interesting the reader, why would the reader take time out of their day to read it? It may make them a better rounded person but just because they read it, does not mean that they will absorb the message. For the people that love to read about anything and everything, that is great. I think that saying there are no boring books just boring people is a personal statement, and it is going to affect people in different ways, no matter how you interpret the statement.

The most important idea I have learned in this class is the fac that inside every great story, lays a million other great stories. We explored this in Cinderella, Hamlet, Demon Lover, and many other great pieces of literature. Before this class, I never understood that while reading a book, watching television, or even listening to a song on the radio, there is a story being told that has been told a thousand times. Everything is a repeat of itself, even if you have to dig down deep to find the story unfolding within. By understanding the outlook, advice can be easily given and recieved. When I listen to my friends and even the people around me, I can easily see stories unfolding that we have discussed in this class. It is hard to know the outcome of the story when the main character does not have the slightest idea what is to come in the near future. I feel it is important to give some advice, but let everyone live and learn, therefore, they will be able to have their own version of retellings.

Throughout the course of the semester, it is safe to say that this Literature class has opened many doors for me. I will now look for poetry in the most obvious places, better comprehend the meaning behind poems, and most importantly, understand that new phases in my life have more than likely already been retold in some way, shape, or form. It has been and education experience being in Professor Sexson's Literature class, and I can honestly say I know much more now, than I did coming into this class.