I was so busy this week with student conferences and preparing for Sigma Tau Delta’s induction ceremony that I forgot to write my blog. When I finally did sit down to write it, I was blocked. Then I started to think about the guest speaker at last night’s induction and that lead me to recall all the other Sigma events I have attended in the Oso Room at the UC and how they relate to the personal essay. The most memorable speakers at these events have included those writers who – like us and Pagnucci – are living the narrative life.
Poetry, stories, and speeches that have been presented have all included bits of the personal. As I try to remember the audience reaction, I can say with much certainty that most were impressed with this approach. Last night’s guest speaker shared the personal using poetry and narrative, and the audience ate it up.
Although the personal essay might not be 100% accepted in the academic world, the real world loves it. So that forces me to ask: if the personal can be sold that easily, then why is it considered illegitimate and radical? Is it because the elitist of academia don’t want their world tainted? Is it because they just don’t have the courage to put their own lives out there for scrutiny?
I admit that it is scary to start writing about yourself. It is also scary to have someone read that writing and risk being dissected. However, I wouldn't bash something that scared me. I would just not do it and admire those who had the courage to.
5 comments:
I would think that the personal is not easiliy accepted by traditional academia much because of, not in spite of, its popularity--just like other more popular fields seem to face troubles in mingling with academia, such as pop culture studies. For some reason, it seems like if mass culture/society is accepting of something, it seems illegitimate to much of the academic sphere. Sounds similar to the idea in that article "Dancing with Professors" and keeping academe for the elite.
I think we should have been told about the dream you told me about the other night! :)
I think that was PRIVATE and never to be mentioned again!!!
I enjoyed the Sigma Tau Delta speaker even though I'm not Catholic, but I imagine many of the audience members did come from this religious background. He spoke to some of their inside family experiences with Catholicism or entertaining a 9 month old on a long trip. Now, the latter one I can relate to--especially a high maintenance baby.
I also liked the fact that he was a librarian and sort of surprised us with poetry that we don't readily associate with our perceptions of a librarian. Much fun.
I wonder if this person practices the personal essay in their own personal life.
Do you think it's easier (and more accepted) to bring yourself into a presentation like the ones at inductions and conferences? I'm thinking that the person asked to speak feels the need to justify why they are qualified to be speaking in front of the crowd. I guess there are other ways of qualifying oneself without using personal anecdotes.
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