Why High School English Sucks

And why studying literature can suck in general

Symbols are things that, because of their placement, gain meaning through the story. Not random, superfluous insertions.

Themes arise from stories. They can't substitute for the stories.

A story is not a mystery to be solved for its meaning. It's not a maths equation to be 'figured out'. 

A story is an experience to be appreciated. The author is sharing something with you. 

Bertha Mason (Jane Eyre; Brontë, C.)

, the first wife of Mr. Rochester.

I seriously don't think she was insane when Rochester married her. She may have become insane since, but only as a consequence of being locked up.

DISRESPECTING Jules Verne

I recently remarked to a friend that Jules Verne's "adventures" tend to be rather anticlimatic.

I have, of course, only three of their number to reference. Around the World in Eighty Days (henceforth 80 Days), Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (henceforth 20000), and Journey to the Centre of the Earth (henceforth Journey).

A submarine and subtextual adventure.

First impressions of Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. (Verne, J., 1870. Translated by Allen P.S., 1922)

In my first reading, I went in without any preliminary research, and had no idea what to expect.

As I traversed the chapters, it seemed to me much more of a travel log than something with substantial plot. Often, when the narration went for large stretches describing the local wildlife instead of furthering the plot, I grew impatient. Verne's attention to scientific and technical detail was impressive, but uninteresting.

Ned Land needs land

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (Verne, Jules)

Part II, Chapter VIII, Vigo Bay

Comments:

Ned Land needs land. Intentional pun, surely.