If so, take a gander at the following. A bittersweet first-hand look at what it takes by an associate professor of English who seemingly had to sacrifice almost everything but his anonymity to bring it to you. Thanks, Dave.
Thanks for the link. The exactness with which the writer points out the reasons that most undergraduates opt for an English major makes for excellent reading. I relate to each and every one of them, but the one that holds the most resonance with me is the one about the experience of transcendence. Some books that I have read have had the (noticeable) effect of transforming my mind and the way I react to the world. The Hours by Michael Cunnigham is one such.
Great essay! I can identify up to a point with all the various undergrad justifications, but I am just a burned-out crisis worker who thought to take her MFA one step higher. I think my mistake was to believe that a PhD. in literature was best next step. It was not. I do love teaching, but hate lit. theory.
Thanks for the link. The exactness with which the writer points out the reasons that most undergraduates opt for an English major makes for excellent reading. I relate to each and every one of them, but the one that holds the most resonance with me is the one about the experience of transcendence. Some books that I have read have had the (noticeable) effect of transforming my mind and the way I react to the world. The Hours by Michael Cunnigham is one such.
ReplyDeleteThat left me feeling...sad.
ReplyDeleteShe sighs and soldiers on...
Great essay! I can identify up to a point with all the various undergrad justifications, but I am just a burned-out crisis worker who thought to take her MFA one step higher. I think my mistake was to believe that a PhD. in literature was best next step. It was not. I do love teaching, but hate lit. theory.
ReplyDelete