This weekend's reading selections for World Lit II and American Lit II were really hard to handle. I went from reading about concentration camp life in "Ladies and Gentlemen, To The Gas Chamber" (World Lit) to a lynch mob in "Going To Meet The Man" (American Lit). Both were incredibly hard to read and both churned emotions in me I'd really rather not feel.
Literature for me isn't just about reading the words, I go into the story, no matter what story it is. I identify with the characters usually and can feel the emotions they feel. This is a double edged blade, it gives me great insight into what I'm reading, but at the same time, when reading material like this, it hurts.
Both stories were powerfully written with clearly defined characters that grabbed the readers attention, sometimes almost literally by the throat. This might be why if given a choice, I prefer Science Fiction/Fantasy to read in my spare time. I may still ideentify with the characters and feel their pain, but the settings are usually so distant and remote that I can separate myself from the hurt. I can see why Prof. D. chose to leave this till the end of the semester, if I'd read this at the beginning, I don't think I'd have had the heart to go on with the rest of the semester.
Off to write up the journal postings...won't that be fun? LOL Good reading to you all.
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Oh gosh I agree. Reading "Going to Meet The Man" I had to take a couple breaks. I even got teary eyed. My husband was on the other couch staring at me list I was nuts. Then I started to explain to him what I was reading and he had to stop me. I even had to skip the end of the "picnic" scene. I like to immerse myself in what I am reading as well.
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