Assigned 9/23

Today we capped off our English Literature focus. A main conclusion we came to, which I agree with, is the importance of studying the progressive English Literature movement as a big picture. This opposed to individual authors and stories. In doing this, we might better understand an author's context for writing such a dark, violent fictional piece. In looking at the big picture, we could save ourselves from concluding the author was simply depressed and to a more enlightened conclusion...that the author wrote in such a realistic stream of thought in order to exaggerate his rebellion from the romantic notions within victorian works.

On my previous reflection blog over future and favorite books, I mention two by Francis Schaeffer. Francis Schaeffer, theologian, philosopher, and philanthropist, died in the late 1980's after living in Switzerland. He and his wife started a halfway house for the less fortunate. I love reading his books, for he defends the Christian Worldview in the midst of taking cultural trends and philosophies, looking at them as one big picture, one unified stream of knowledge. It's incredible.

Here is Francis and his wife Edith:



The next topic I found very interesting in class today is how iPads and Kindles are to affect literature. Although paper books are becoming less popular and logical (size and money), I believe the popularity of literature will grow. With these new inventions, all kinds of literature are available to people everywhere. I do mean all kinds of people from all over the world. And yes, I have been to third world countries. There are Internet Cafes meet peoples' desires to read. Here in America, these portable readers make reading all types of literature accessible. I acknowledge the parts within me yearning for hands on reading experiences. However, if I could choose to travel throughout the day with five good reading options versus one, I must embrace the decision with options (five options, or six, or twenty).

Of course, many other variables weigh in on this debate: Readability of these "portable readers," interaction with the book (no more margin note-taking), cost of books, the smell of turning crisp paper versus the hum of a hard, metal box. I'm torn, and I digress.