Thursday, October 18, 2012

Dumb and dumber

The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.
B.B. King

I don't know about you but the longer I stay at university, the dumber I feel and it's given me great insight into the fact that I can't know everything because there's so much to know.  And this is the great testament to the saying 'lifelong learning'.

However, having said that, what I have learned, I'm keen to put to the test.  I've decided that over the summer, apart from taking a beginner's Italian course, I'm going to re-read all those literature greats that I just didn't 'get' the first time around - as well as those that I thought I got, just to see if I did, if fact, get them.

So, here's my summer re-reading list:

Mrs Dalloway - I started reading this many, many, many years ago and when I say 'started', I mean just that.  It's very rare that I don't actually finish reading anything, no matter how bad.  I just didn't understand the first thing about Modernism or stream of consciousness.  Now I am aware of those literary techniuqes, but that doesn't mean I'll enjoy it!

All seven of Jane Austen's novels...yeah, right!  Maybe just Pride and Prejudice - I've always been a huge fan and always will but I've only re-read Emma - gasp, horror! I identified myself in class yesterday as being a 'huge fan' and was then asked to quote the first line of Pride and Prejudice...really?  Apparently MOST Jane Austen fans are familiar with the first line and its irony...embarrassing!  But I have been to her house in Chawton, if that accounts for anything?

Madame Bovary - I first read this about five years ago and remember wishing I'd read it in my teens.  I want to re-read it to see if those feelings are warranted.

My brilliant career - I read this when I first entered my foray into university and I loved, loved, loved it.  It's Australian for one thing and I've since become a 'fan' of Miles Franklin.

Bossypants - Okay, it's not a classic but I've never actually read this one and after reading the others, I might be looking for something hilariously funny.

So that little list should keep me busy over the summer.  There will be no book reviews, by the way, but I will let you know if my opinions about them have changed due to my higher learning!


4 comments:

  1. Good idea!!I am loving having time to read lots and lots now. Enjoy!!! x

    ReplyDelete
  2. This post made me smile! And...made me realize that we are what we read! You are listing all the sophisticated classics while I sit here reading books like The Myth of Mental Illness, Voluntary Madness (which was AWESOME, BTW), and Mad in America. I have never read any of those books so I would love to hear which ones my sophisticated, Classy Australian friend likes! I may just become inclined to pick one up! =)

    ~Sincerely, Your Mad and Crazy American Friend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My Dear Mad and Crazy American Friend,

      First of all I don't think you're crazy at all - I think you're incredibly intelligent, funny and honest (just to name a few)and you have those unique qualities I yearn for and so seek out in potential friends!

      Secondly, I'm not really all that classy - although I do happen to love 18th/19th century literature, I'm a bit of a sloth,I swear like a trooper when I get behind the wheel and love a good belch after a glass of ginger beer! (Notice how I don't even mention 'Farting'?!!) Maybe I'm 'K'lassy? Either way, we make very good friends :)

      Sincerely, Your Klassy Aussie friend. xxx

      Delete

If you don't have anything nice to say, please don't say anything at all!

I've done it!!!

Well, I've finally done it!! Got accepted into Uni AND created a blog!!! After searching for insightful websites to help me tackle my journey into academia at my ripe old age and coming up with nil, I decided to start one of my own. I hope this blog will encourage anyone who has ever doubted their own abilities, to put one foot in front of the other and achieve their ambitions, desires, dreams...no matter what they are. If anyone has any inspiring stories to share, I would love to hear them. I love an inspiring story!!!