Serendip is an independent site partnering with faculty at multiple colleges and universities around the world. Happy exploring!

Reply to comment

mcurrie's picture

Why?

I'm trying to get in my head that a drunk guy has more range of possibilities to explore then the sober person that stands next to them.  When reading Whitman we compared it to a drunk person or someone incoherent that you can't understand.  Sounds about the right decision since some of us figured he was high on something, maybe life.  But I don't think every writer gets drunk or high before writing their masterpiece or what not so I figure there is a way to reach your subconscious without being intoxicated.  I guess we see that with abstract artists.  But still, if Whitman was drunk, or going into his subconscious, writing down random thoughts that could be seen to come together, although for me it's difficult to put his puzzle of thoughts in one piece.  Anyway if Whitman was drunk then why should I care about his writing? What should I get out of it? Cause I'd rather avoid the drunk person going into a monologue about a grass, people, etc.  I guess I'm just wondering why I should care? What's the point? And I haven't found an answer for that yet, nor has anyone given me a clear answer.  But now we are moving on to a novel that actually has a story where things connect and come together, and that I can understand.  Now after reading some of Siri I'm wondering how Whitman ties into the novel or if we're just going to compare/contrast the two?  On to the next lecture to find meaning or non-meaning, either one will suffice as long as I understand where we are going.

Reply

To prevent automated spam submissions leave this field empty.
2 + 8 =
Solve this simple math problem and enter the result. E.g. for 1+3, enter 4.