My vision for the English major revolves around a profound appreciation for the intricacies of language and literature, recognizing their enduring relevance in today’s world. Through my exploration of seminal works like Jean Rhys’ “Wide Sargasso Sea” and Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein,” I’ve discovered the profound impact literature can have in challenging societal norms and revealing universal truths. These projects exemplify how the English major cultivates critical thinking, empathy, and cultural awareness, essential skills for navigating our interconnected society.
In my analysis of “Wide Sargasso Sea,” I delved into the intricate relationship between characters and the exotic setting of Dominica, revealing the thematic depth that literature offers. By emphasizing the symbolic significance of the landscape, I demonstrated my ability to engage critically with texts and uncover layers of meaning. This project underscores how the English major equips individuals with the skills to analyze and appreciate diverse narratives, fostering a deeper understanding of the human experience.
Similarly, my exploration of nature in Shelley’s “Frankenstein” showcased the transformative power of literature in exploring the human condition. Through vivid descriptions, I explored themes of solitude, resilience, and the connection between humanity and nature, highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of the English major in addressing contemporary issues.
Furthermore, my interview with Professor Caroline Hunt provided valuable insights into the personal and academic journey of an esteemed member of the English department. Her story serves as a testament to the transformative power of perseverance, mentorship, and a passion for lifelong learning, values inherent in the English major.
Looking ahead, I aspire to merge my passion for language and literature with meaningful professional endeavors. The foundation established by my English major equips me with a versatile skill set that transcends disciplinary boundaries. The critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills honed through my coursework have prepared me for success in various fields, from academia to marketing. As I embark on this journey, I hope to leverage the transformative potential of literature to effect positive change in the world around me, whether through advocacy, education, or creative expression. In crafting my final portfolio and personal website, I aimed for a clean and minimalist design to showcase my skills and values effectively. While I am satisfied with the outcome, I wish I had more time to incorporate multimedia elements for enhanced user engagement. Overall, my portfolio reflects my journey as an English major and my commitment to lifelong learning and intellectual exploration.
In the pursuit of understanding ourselves, we often embark on journeys outward—exploring different fields, meeting diverse people, and seeking varied experiences. Yet, as I delved into the “Flower Exercise” from Richard N. Bolles’ What Color Is Your Parachute?, I found that the most profound and clarifying knowledge isn’t found in the external world; it resides within us. This second field report, focused on self-inventory across seven key areas, revealed layers of insights and challenges, ultimately bringing me closer to understanding my own multifaceted being.
The first petal of my flower, representing the kinds of people I prefer to be around, unveiled a tapestry of traits I value. I realized I am drawn to individuals who exhibit social intelligence and perception, those who warmly embrace inclusivity and welcome diverse viewpoints. Through this exercise, I recognized the importance of surrounding myself with visionaries in social change and innovation, individuals who challenge the status quo and inspire growth.
Moving to the petal concerning workplace conditions, I was confronted with my ideal professional environment. Guiding mentorship emerged as an essential element, as well as working alongside a diverse team and in a performance-driven culture. The image of a relaxed attire policy and the option to bike or walk to the office painted a vivid picture of a workplace where creativity and comfort converge.
The skills and competencies petal brought forth a realization of my strengths and areas of expertise. From motivating others towards common goals to developing strategic plans, I acknowledged my proficiency in critical thinking and problem-solving. However, the challenge lay in recognizing the importance of ongoing learning and professional development, reminding me of the ever-evolving nature of success.
As I reflected on the knowledge petal, I embraced my passion for cultural and historical understanding, alongside staying informed about global events. Creative writing and storytelling emerged as a central theme, highlighting my desire to engage in philosophical and ethical discussions that shape narratives and perspectives.
The settings and geographies petal took me on a visual journey, envisioning an ideal location. Close to family in Charleston, near water, and within a medium-sized town’s vibrant downtown, I found a sense of rootedness and vitality. These elements, coupled with an easy commute, formed the backdrop of an environment where I could thrive.
Considering the money and responsibility petal, I grappled with the balance between financial stability and meaningful contribution. While recognizing the need for a fair compensation structure, my sense of purpose emerged as a guiding force. To help others, contribute to good in the world, and advance humanity became the compass directing my choices.
Finally, the core of my flower, my sense of purpose in life, illuminated the essence of my existence. Through this exercise, I articulated my deep-seated desire to contribute to kindness in the world, fostering a sense of empathy and compassion in all endeavors.
This intensive self-inventory was both illuminating and challenging. It allowed me to peel back the layers of my being, revealing intricate details and guiding principles that shape my choices and aspirations. The process was not without its struggles; confronting areas of growth and acknowledging vulnerabilities required courage. Yet, in this journey of self-discovery, I found empowerment and clarity.
As I invite you, the audience, into this reflective space, I share the essence of my flower—a symbol of my inner landscape. Each petal represents not only facets of myself but also aspirations for the future. The challenges faced in this exercise mirrored the complexities of navigating life’s choices and priorities. Yet, through introspection and reflection, I stand rooted in a deeper understanding of who I am and where I aim to go.
Blog Post 4: My English Story: Personal-Professional Narrative
As I reflect on my college journey, I am struck by the myriad of challenges and opportunities that have shaped my path through the humanities, particularly English literature, during the tumultuous years of the global pandemic. These past few years have been a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the enduring importance of literary study in navigating the complexities of the world around us.
My journey into English literature began with a passion for storytelling and a curiosity about the human experience. Each course, from delving into the works of 18th-century British writers to unraveling the complexities of postcolonial literature, offered me a unique lens through which to view the world. Engaging in critical discourse, dissecting narratives, and analyzing language became more than just academic exercises; they were gateways to understanding the intricacies of society, culture, and identity.
In my senior year, I took a course in British Gothic Literature, where I read Diane Long Hoeveler’s book,Gothic Feminism: The Professionalization of Gender from Charlotte Smith to the Brontës. I wrote a paper exploring how gothic feminism evolved under the creative achievements of female gothic writers and considered how their literary work contributed to the modern definition of feminism. Female gothic articulated women’s dissatisfactions with patriarchal society and addressed the problematic position of the maternal within that society. This journey provided invaluable insights into the evolution of contemporary roles, concepts, and anticipations, drawing parallels between historical models and current societal debates. By immersing myself in the historical context of the female gothic genre, I recognized the enduring legacy of these literary works in shaping our understanding of gender dynamics and power structures.
Furthermore, the interdisciplinary exploration of British Gothic Literature, particularly through the lens of Gothic Feminism, illuminates the enduring relevance of the English major in contemporary society. By delving into Hoeveler’s examination of the professionalization of gender in the works of female gothic writers, I gained insights into historical literary movements and a deeper understanding of societal norms and challenges. This immersion in thick data allowed me to grasp the evolution of feminist discourse and its impact on modern definitions of feminism. The interdisciplinary approach, integrating literature, history, and gender studies, exemplifies the versatile skills cultivated through an English major. Through the analysis of how female gothic writers navigated patriarchal challenges and articulated women’s dissatisfactions with societal norms, I developed a nuanced understanding of the complexities inherent in our cultural fabric. This understanding equips me to engage with current debates and anticipate future issues, underscoring the practical applications of the English major. Thus, this research journey contributes to a shared understanding of feminism’s historical roots and reaffirms the English major’s capacity to foster critical analysis, synthesis of diverse perspectives, and effective communication of complex ideas in navigating contemporary societal challenges.
In Christian Madsbjerg’s book, Sensemaking: The Power of the Humanities in the Age of the Algorithm, the first principle of sensemaking, “culture–not individuals,” highlights the fact that understanding human behavior requires cultural intelligence. This is because “our reality–and everything we perceive as meaningful–is highly contextual and historical.” This principle articulates the value of understanding historical and social contexts and the importance of cultivating cultural intelligence to gain insights into human behavior. Furthermore, this concept of “culture–not individuals” contradicts the prevailing assumption of our algorithmic age “that human behavior is based on individual choices, preferences, and logical structures” because, as Madsbjerg argues, humans are defined by the society in which they live, and understanding human behavior requires a demanding form of cultural engagement.
As an English major, I have regularly engaged in sensemaking. Resilience, adaptability, and the enduring significance of literary study have been foundational to my growth and development, particularly amidst the challenges posed by the global pandemic. From the outset, my fascination with storytelling and the exploration of the human experience propelled me into the realm of English literature. Through critical discourse and the analysis of language, these academic pursuits transcended mere intellectual exercises, serving as gateways to deeper understandings of society, culture, and identity. In Grobman and Ramsey’s chapter titled “Beyond Jobs and Careers: The Enduring Value of the Humanities,” the authors contend that the humanities “emphasize critical thinking and imagination while helping us remember where we’ve been as well as visualize our future.” The breadth of the humanities equips students with “higher-order” thinking they take into their careers and communities. Higher-order thinking and cultural understanding “are as vital as technological expertise in a world of big data and algorithms” because humanities perspectives are needed “to help steer technology to help us do what is valuable and good.”
As I look towards my future in English, I am filled with a sense of optimism and purpose. I envision a future where the insights and skills honed through my humanities education are not just valued but embraced as essential pillars of a sustainable and equitable society. Whether pursuing a career in academia, publishing, or public service, I am committed to leveraging my passion for literature to effect positive change in the world around me.
In conclusion, my English journey amidst the pandemic has been a testament to the enduring power of literature to inspire, challenge, and transform. As I embark on the next chapter of my life, I carry with me the lessons learned, the connections forged, and the unwavering belief in the potential of literary study to shape a more just and compassionate world. Another quote taken from Madsjberg’s book Sensemaking is that “Instead of attempting to reduce that complexity of all of these layers of humanity — like a journey determined by the reductions of a GPS system– the sensemaking practice follows that North Star.” We learn “to navigate through the rich reality of our world, developing a finely honed perspective on where we are and where we are headed.” In times of crisis and uncertainty, it is literature that lights the way forward, illuminating our shared humanity and reminding us of the boundless possibilities that lie ahead. Much like literature, “sensemaking allows us to determine where we are. And, most important, sensemaking puts us in touch with where we are headed.”
Reading has been a part of my life ever since I could remember. As the daughter of a teacher and a writer, consuming literature was ingrained in my daily routine. As I progressed in school and grew up in general, literature became more of an escape, away from weird teenage emotions and mean kids in the lunchroom. It became a place where I could trade my own emotions for another’s for a minute or two. That’s why I found Claudia Hammond’s article titled “Does Reading Fiction Make Us Better People?” so interesting because it introduces an argument that backs up people’s emotional attachment to books in general. Hammond seems to link empathy as the main trait of being a better person, and while empathy is a good trait to possess, one could say it takes a whole lot more than empathy to be labeled as a good person in society.
Nevertheless, Hammond explains various experiments that research people and how empathetic they are based on either being an avid fictional reader or having just read a short piece of fiction. By the end of the article, Hammond seems to believe in her argument that reading fictional literature unlocks an empathetic trait in people. I do believe that consuming fictional literature has made me more in tune with my emotions and able to see them in other people. But I do not think that empathy is the only emotion that we should take into consideration when asking the question if literature makes a person better or not.
My thought is that all literature is intentional, always carefully planned, and edited until the last second. Society does not work that way; it is chaotic, messy, and unexpected. I do find that the experiments themselves are engaging, and the prose is compelling, asking a good question that links literature to how we as people function in a society. I just found that the research focuses mostly on the empathy in others rather than allowing other emotions to be categorized as well when people consume fictional literature.
At my high school, the English classrooms were clumped together in one old, dingy hallway, while the science classrooms spanned two gigantic hallways that had been recently renovated when I got there. From then on, those two subjects—science and the humanities—were always pitted against each other, and where I grew up, it seemed that science was the more favorable one.I believe that’s when I realized that reading books was more than a hobby for me, when there was time for a choice. The choice had never been easier.
That’s why I found Patrick Rosal’s argument titled “Poetry is Hospitable to Strangeness and Surprise,” which presents the dispute that poetry and science go hand in hand rather than being opposites of one another. From this article, I am able to understand why people pick science, why there is even a choice in the first place, and why there doesn’t have to be anymore. Rosal states, “poetry and science are kin.” These two subjects share much in common, even when neither party wants to acknowledge it. I believe the most prominent similarity that they share is “observation” (Rosal). Observation is how poetry gets written; the subject that is observed gets described by the poet on paper. Observation in science is the foundation for any solid hypothesis.
The simplicity of Rosal’s list of similarities struck me because there were only five reasons, but each brought multiple examples to mind. From there, I could actually believe the argument that science and poetry, or the humanities, are similar in various ways. The two do not have to go hand in hand, but we, as a society, should “give them enough space and support to work in solitude but talk together too.” (Rosal). As shown, these two subjects can work together, but neither has to be favorable to the other.
