Out of Egypt:

Lit Studies, the Pleasures and the Pitfalls of

My theory is that the editors of anthologies for HS English classes have as their goal to choose the worst stories by famous authors, so as to sour as many students on literature as possible. After reading "The Birthmark," Nathaniel Hawthorne became a kind of running joke in my mind. It was only in the past few months that I really gave him a chance again, and found out that some of what he wrote was excellent, when he wasn't allegorizing to the max. The Scarlet Letter might have been a stronger novel had he not thought it necessary to mention the letter "A" on nearly every single page, but I still found it to be a vivid, lurid ____ (insert your favorite review-like noun in here).

I suppose I'm not cut out to be a lit critic. Of course, I never really intended to be. I've always wanted to be a journalist (well, ever since I rejected the possibilities of programming, creative writing, and graphic design, respectively). I'm just studying English at Covenant because I enjoy literature, and because there's no specific program in journalism.

Who knows how the Lord will lead in the next year? Perhaps, with my financial situation being as it is, I'll end up going to a different school, one that's cheaper and does offer journalism. If anyone thinks that would be a tragedy, feel free to let me know. As for me, I'm pretty much ready for anything. Covenant hasn't been a tremendous disappointment for me, and there have been many conversations, many friends, many professors that I will cherish forever. Yet I don't know if I can justify the cost in my mind if I end up writing critical paper after critical paper, developing skills the value of which I now find questionable.

I know I've said some of this before to some of you. I was just thinking about it again. I was also thinking that I love pop songs with a jazzy backbeat. "When You Wake Up Feeling Cold," by Wilco is one of those songs.

Now, on a tangent, Infradig played a great, and ridiculously long, show last night. The whole time I was dancing like a fool and thinking how much Serfass would appreciate it. Man, if you'd been there. There are some things I really value about Chattanooga. If my own bank account were higher in value, perhaps I would be able to value the city even more. To my friends in Philly -though I don't think you read this - you need to take advantage of that. I know you can afford to.

Evan, we do indeed read your blog.

Posted by: matt serfass at January 19, 2004 9:59 PM

Actually, Matt, I was more thinking of Jason and Nate, who I don't believe read it. But yeah, I know you take advantage to some extent. Less partying on-campus, more savoring of the cultural scene, that's what I say.

Posted by: Evan Donovan at January 20, 2004 11:45 AM