In the last few chapters, Cliff has stayed in Montana. I couldn't really tell you why, because this book is getting harder and harder to follow. It may have been a poor choice for a quarter-long project, because it seems to be the type of book you have to read in a day or two. Cliff spends so much time in his head, contemplating things, that if you put the book down and come back a few days later, you may have forgotten what is actually going on, action-wise. But this is not to say that I don't like the book. I do. Mostly. Anyhow, on to analysis. One thing I noticed is that Cliff is becoming increasingly self-aware. Not only does he mull over things in the past, but he's started to make observations about himself in the present, which is actually quite difficult to do. One time when you can see this is when Cliff is in a small diner after having gone fishing. He thinks to himself, "I wasn't in first-rate mental shape when I had left Michigan, and perhaps for some time afterward. The fishing had opened a window in my mind's room and the new fresh air and light had made my state of mind on my departure grim indeed" (195). Although it is perhaps not a happy observation, Cliff still developed as a person by participating in some self-reflection.
While I was reading, I began to wonder why the book is titled The English Major. At first, my reaction was that it was a little random, as being an English major was only a small part of Cliff's personality and character make-up. After a while, though, it occurred to me just how much having majored in English has impacted Cliff's life. For one thing, it may have caused distance between him and his wife, because she doesn't understand his passion for literature. Also, thoughts about famous writers such as Lord Byron or Thoreau are quite common in his daily musings. It has also given him a bit of wisdom, as shown when he is thinking about his project of renaming state birds. Cliff has become frustrated that he isn't getting very far on this project, and starts to blame all the distractions in his life. He says, "As an English major I was familiar with the stories of dozens of writers trying to get their work done amid the multifarious diversions of the world and the hurdles of their own vices" (189). Obviously, the title is very appropriate because having majored in English has completely shaped Cliff's personality and way of life.
Harrison, Jim. The English Major. New York: Grove Press, 2008.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
It's too bad that this book is hard to follow, but I understand your comment about having to read it in a day or two. Great inference about the title. I don't think I could figure that out myself and luckily my the title of my book is exactly what the book is about.
Lida, I like your analysis of the title. Titles so many times seem like they have no meaning, almost like those of textbooks. For books where the title has meaning, people a lot of times don't consider the title to be a part of the book, which it definitely is, losing much of the book's meaning.
I agree with Kyle and Alex, nice job analyzing the title of the book. I think many times, people pick up a book and are possibly intrigued by the title, yet when they read and finish it, they forget about their original curiosity toward what the title means. Your analysis serves as a nice wrap up.
Heehee. I like your little blip that actually took up the first fourth of your post. Sounds like a fun book! Well, they always say music people and math people and english people are different. English people are supposed to think more creatively and logically--but if Cliff has just begun thinking again, I'd suggest he's done a crappy job with his life. As a writer, for example, not reflecting would be impossible. Still, it seems a little bit weird to me that because he's an english major, his wife wouldn't connect with him. Brings up some interesting topics about the idea of opposites attracting... :)
Post a Comment