I haven’t been a teacher in years, and I’m not a writer, just a reader and fangirl. But I loved everything you said here about the peculiar loneliness of having your sanity and faith restored by reading something so beautiful and complete as To the Lighthouse, when nobody else quite gets it. Also that “I threw a pen” was perfect! It brought me back to the frustrations of teaching, of trying so hard to share and connect with some who seem obstinately dead set against opening their minds. It’s not personal but it sure feels like it is!
I feel so similarly about this first page that I melted right into this post. (It is my primary reference for plot.) But shouldn't students be taught to understand why this is the peak? Yet who has the stamina? I have had the same disappointment teaching Flannery O' Connor, and it hurts. I no longer try.
it does hurt, and also, i do think we must, at least sometimes, keep trying. and also: when brilliant writers i admire like you love and see it too: I also melt.
Simply a pleasure to read your post
Coincidently, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf is one of my favorite movies. I have watched almost
20 times and will watch it tonite since I have been reminded of it. George and Martha are my
favorite couple on film
How I would have liked to be your student.
Love this--thank you for sharing. xx
I haven’t been a teacher in years, and I’m not a writer, just a reader and fangirl. But I loved everything you said here about the peculiar loneliness of having your sanity and faith restored by reading something so beautiful and complete as To the Lighthouse, when nobody else quite gets it. Also that “I threw a pen” was perfect! It brought me back to the frustrations of teaching, of trying so hard to share and connect with some who seem obstinately dead set against opening their minds. It’s not personal but it sure feels like it is!
I feel so similarly about this first page that I melted right into this post. (It is my primary reference for plot.) But shouldn't students be taught to understand why this is the peak? Yet who has the stamina? I have had the same disappointment teaching Flannery O' Connor, and it hurts. I no longer try.
it does hurt, and also, i do think we must, at least sometimes, keep trying. and also: when brilliant writers i admire like you love and see it too: I also melt.