Lit Fest: Day Two Builds a Theme
Mar
29
The second day of Lit Fest began with a brief orientation of our surroundings by Dr. Haugen. I couldn't help but feel inspired by the architecture and stories Dr. Haugen shared about her time spent on the campus. We finished our walk by returning to the Baker building and finding seats for the lectures by Dorothy Allison and Charles Johnson.
I had never heard of either of these authors before the festival but that was changed after each spoke. Coming off of the heels of an epic evening, I wondered how different Dorothy Allison's lecture would be from her reading. That question would have to wait as I watched Charles Johnson take the stage after his introduction.
Charles Johnson did not disappoint as he began to speak about his time teaching a creative writing course. Over the course of the weekend many of the speakers and attendees mentioned how great it would have been to be in that writing class, even with Mr. Johnson detailing the rigorous nature of the course. What stood out most from his lecture was his mention of "The Alpha Narrative" and how the great stories all contribute and perpetuate this idea. This "Alpha Narrative" as Mr. Johnson says is the story of our world using but a few symbols. What the great stories include are the most prevalent ideas and events in our history using these symbols. I believe he is right using this term as the inclusion of ideas and events taking place within the social narrative tend to touch the hearts of a wide audience and stand the test of time because they remain relevant through time. Another point that needs to be recognized is what Charles said about African American literature. While responding to a question from the crowd Mr. Johnson brought up the point that, as a society, we must stop differentiating between these types of literature by the race of the author and refer to them as American Literature. This seems like a simple idea but when you look at the effort to include specific racial groups we further divide our culture.
Dorothy Allison took her place behind the lectern after a brief introduction. I listened as she began to build momentum speaking about "post literary America" and the slow death of the printed word. She let us know that she was excited for us because we were entering a new world of writing. Dorothy spoke of the effort and dedication necessary to be a writer. She told us that "on the gift you must place focus and effort and attention" and told that we were all a tribe. Dorothy instilled a sense of community within us all. With the cadence and rhythm of a Baptist preacher, as Brian Doyle would later point out, she held our attention and used her course language and caring tone to reinforce our drive to create. She encouraged us saying "Build with me the library I actually feel myself a part of". What Dorothy Allison said during her reading and lecture will stay with me through the path of my writing. She spoke to us all and reminded us to not take ourselves too seriously. I will remember always her saying that "It is the nature of being writers that we are absurd" and that we make ourselves a " self caricatureization" through our creation. I am proud to be a member of the same tribe as a person like Dorothy Allison. The coming evening and following day would only serve to deepen my respect for these artists of the written and spoken word.
1 comments:
I've said it before, and I'll say it forever. We writers are all in this together. As Ms. Alison said, we're a tribe!! :)
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