Three years on...

It's almost a week since I finished my final year at univeristy, and I've taken the past week (sort of) to reflect upon everything that I have learnt from my English Literature degree...

Jokes! It's taken me, like, ten minutes to summarise the "skills" and "lessons" of the last three years. Here is a list of my top 5.

1. As long as you can throw a quote or two at an argument, you can say anything about what you think a text means.

For example: A horse stood alone in a field on a winter's night.

This is how an English Literature student might go about analysing this sentence:

Interpretation: The contrast in the juxtaposition between the single, lonely horse, and the immense scope of the field, draws attention to the way in which these polarising images form a powerful image of loneliness inhabiting a vast space. The namelessness of the horse demonstrates how identity is removed from the control of the horse, and given to the narrative voice. Furthermore, this lack of identity accentuates the solitude and isolation of the horse from a collective or group; instead, the horse exists within a landscape, barren from other forms of life. Such a bleak landscape is further emphasised by the "winter's night", which connotes a seasonal darkness and bleakness. Such relationships between the individual and weather, or landscape, is considered by Dickens.

Or something like that at least! Give me a break, I only had five minutes to think of something! Thanks to an extensive and exhaustive three years, I can now analyse any sentence to the point of death. (Figuratively, of course.) Throw in a couple of critics, and you'll get yourself a solid 2:1.

2. You can blag your way in any seminar as long as you can apply the aforementioned skills. (See point 1.) Also, if you happen to know anything about Feminism, Marxism, or any kind of literary theory, just apply it to your spontaneous reading of the text. It makes you sound clever, and most importantly, it makes you sound like you've read the book.

3. Whilst on the subject of seminars, I've learnt that you can make a totally irrelevant point, and your seminar leader will back you up by deciphering your incredibly convoluted and bizarre suggestion, and then, magically reassemble your verbal diarrhea into a reasoned and useful argument.
Sometimes, a seminar leader will go that extra mile for you and continually refer to "your point", using it to consolidate other discussions and points raised in the seminar, because "your point" was helpful. I feel like we should clap or salute seminar leaders that do this, because I won't have anyone to do this for me in the future.

4. You can write a well-reasoned, thoughtful, and intelligent essay, and you don't have to have read the whole of the book. Like, you could have just read random chapters or relevant paragraphs.

5. And finally, an English Literature degree has taught me that the author doesn't exist. Oh, and neither does a text. And a text has no beginning. And there's no such thing as reality. So it's quite possible that we don't actually exist. It's pretty lucky that I haven't left uni severely damaged or in need of some serious therapy.

So there we have it! Five key lessons that I will take with me as I start the world of work. Overall it might sound like a wasted three years, but I can't complain really. I had all those seminars, and lectures, and loads of contact hours so it was worth being about £20000. Oh, wait....



P.S. I actually did like my degree, and strangely, I already miss it.

The Beautiful Project

A couple of days ago, I mentioned on this blog that in 2013 I am starting my own personal project called "The Beautiful Project". Here's a brief description of what it is, and why I am doing it:

What is "The Beautiful Project"?

"The Beautiful Project" is a 365 day project starting on 1st January 2013, where I will be striving to remember that in a world that sometimes looks bleak, there is something beautiful to be found around the corner (excuse the cliche!), in places that I may have previously overlooked.

(Nb. I know here that some people may argue that for those suffering in pain, or being abused, or dying, or starving, it may be difficult or impossible to see beauty in each of these situations. I obviously have no idea what it is like to be in those positions. I wouldn't even know how to imagine how those groups of people must be feeling, and in those circumstances, perhaps the concept of "beauty-as-something-just-around-the corner" might seem like an insulting joke. But those brothers and sisters we have scattered all over this world are the beauty. They are the beautiful. They are, in fact, one of my reasons for doing this; so I can remember to appreciate the different forms of beauty, in order for my worldly perspective and materialist views regarding definitions of beauty, to be transformed by God's grace. I already know that God has been changing my perspectives regarding this, but I want to continue to grow and learn. Also, during this next year, I hope to do some fundraising for different charities- for people in difficult circumstances- in regards to "The Beautiful Project", but more on that later in 2013!) 

I will be uploading anything from pictures, thoughts, songs, and my general observations, as I strive to remind myself that we're surrounded by beauty every day, even if sometimes we don't notice it.

Why?

I'll also be challenging my perception of physical beauty, asking questions as to why those ideas exist, and why they are so easy to entertain in regards to how they are applied to others, and even to the self. Maybe I'll get an answer. Maybe not. That's okay though!

I realise that others may differ in their opinions on the things that I consider beautiful. That is perfectly fine!

During this year, I also hope to gain insight regarding the degree to which beauty is a subjective concept. I hope to learn from others about what they find beautiful, as I don't pretend to have all the answers. I also know that I will never have all the answers in regards to the definition of 'beautiful' (and also the definition of 'ugliness'), but I hope for a clearer perspective and appreciation of the world around me, not just a picturesque view of nature, but a revitalised thankfulness for the incredible people around me as well.

I'm as equally excited about this project as I am nervous. It's nerve-wracking exposing my flaws to anyone who reads this blog, especially as I feel like I am the only one in the world who might think this way, but at the same time I know I am not perfect (though perhaps proud at times), and I know that God still loves me, and I can't wait to challenge my complacency!

These verses have been really instrumental in the way in which I've started to think about others, and how I think about myself:

Psalm 139: 13-14

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Have a great end to 2012, and God bless you in 2013!

"When life gives you lemons..." (Actually though, I'm not sure anyone has given me lemons so I can make lemonade.)

Life has been so hectic recently! I haven't had the time to write a blog post at all, so here is a quick run down of the events in my life if you are interested:

- First term of third year = stress + too much work
- General craziness over my future.

I'm actually going to pause for a minute to explain what I mean. In October, or perhaps earlier, it dawned on me that in less than a year, my university career will be over for good- ignoring the whole PGCE thing which I'll get to in a minute- and that I will be faced with a huge amount of decisions regarding the path my life is going to take. Career-wise, I mean. I've wanted to be a teacher for a while, and so having sent off my applications for teaching at the beginning of the Autumn term, I thought that  I could ignore the scary prospect of the future, and concentrate on my dissertation. Things did not go according to plan. Funding was scrapped, and suddenly, everything was out of my hands. I had no control over anything, and that was terrifying. But I prayed, and trusted in God, not knowing what could happen, and God has been good. He's opened doors that I never knew existed, and although I am living in the aftermath, still without a fixed career destination, I feel calm. I feel rested. It might sound weird to other people that I am trusting in a seemingly invisible, make-believe entity, or a psychological and social crutch I have developed to deal with my stress, and a few months ago I thought long and hard about the reality of God- more on that in the future- but I can't explain the peace and faith in God, concerning the way I feel in regards to the uncertainty of my life at the moment.

I do remind myself as much as I can that I am fortunate in regards to my health, my education, my family, my friends, my home, and my general comforts, which strikingly contrast those who, as I sit on my bed writing this, are starving, or homeless, or cold, or malnourished, or ill and dying, or those being mentally or physically abused; those in third world nations, and those who may live next door to you and me.

But at the same time, I do have the occasional freak out session, where I cry in my room/on my mum or dad, praying and eating chocolate.

This verse has been a comfort:

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Anyway, back to general update....
- Christmas!
Wooooo!!! I love Christmas, and having a four and half month old kitten running around, jumping into piles of wrapping paper, was definitely one of the highlights. And Doctor Who, of course!
- Seeing friends.
I haven't seen that many to be honest, but it's been lovely seeing them!

In regards to 2013... I'm still torn between pessimism and optimism. There's more essays, dissertation deadlines, interviews, revision, exams, applications for jobs... but on the other hand, I have lots of exciting plans as well, like getting started on my story, a lovely long summer ahead, my 21st (!!!), and 'The Beautiful Project', which I hope to start on January 1st. I will explain in due course!!!!

Although I'm not a huge fan of New Year celebrations, and the hype it installs, I think 2013 will be interesting to say the least!