Rereading a text

I distinctly recall, the setting, the situation, the professor, and the feeling when he explained, before he was scheduled to teach a certain novel, instead of just looking over prepared lecture notes or something? He would reread the novel. That did not coincide with an experience with a more lettered and tenured professor, who apparently only read from his carefully scripted notes.

In a typical survey course, maybe half-dozen books? Probably less. Some with lurid artwork, but most just textual in nature? From high-brow classics to pulp/trash, all of it counts.

So rereading a favorite text came up, and one that I’m happy to admit. Some hold up well. Those with roots closer to the true classics, though, or titans of modern literature? There is stilted and dated prose. Frankly pejorative and sexist material, as well. In another manner of speaking, or writing? Some of this material doesn’t hold up well.

I take it as my own responsibility, personal responsibility, especially when rereading a text, to understand the cultural milieux, and read with an understanding that material itself might be rooted in language of the time, along with accepted moires and meanings.

Rereading a text

It’s a Mercury is Retrograde kind of a thing — looking forward to next month.

the Portable Mercury Retrograde

Portable Mercury Retrograde – Kramer Wetzel