(no subject)
I'm reading The Thin Red Line again. The last time I read it marked my entry into reading any kind of non-kiddie novel. Interestingly enough, when I lent it Liz, she found it "too convoluted," meaning too hard. Anyway, the book takes place at Guadalcanal, where author James Jones served and won a bronze star. It's a cynical book that is composed mainly of several characters' inner dialogue. Some of them are country bumpkins, some of them are educated, and all of them are struggling with the war. Most of them are bound and ruled by social norms that make them fear being labeled a coward. Hemingway hated that, I've heard, but Hemingway never really fought; he was an ambulance driver. He also spent his time as a journalist on the WWII European front getting drunk.
Anyway, last night I noticed that Jones' characters will do things contrary to their inner dialogue. It's not inconsistent writing, but it implies there is character about them that goes beyond their dialogue. It makes for some duality and lets you respect them for doing noble things despite their inner bitching.
As with any book I read, I'm emulating its meditations while not reading it. I think about the social pressures that guide me and others around me. This all seems really appropriate given my previous sensitivity to social norms. My Xbox Live name is Social Norms. I've long been fascinated - and a little bitter - about the way people are moved by irrational, unchallenged phenomena. Now, don't get me wrong. Not all social norms are bad. I'm glad most people shower. I suppose if I lived somewhere that people don't I would be used to it. But other norms - girls dating assholes to be socially acceptable, guys acting tough because they're afraid of labeling, etc. - are my enemies.
Keyboarding is ending. I'm out of assignments but I can get away with writing this in Word.
Anyway, last night I noticed that Jones' characters will do things contrary to their inner dialogue. It's not inconsistent writing, but it implies there is character about them that goes beyond their dialogue. It makes for some duality and lets you respect them for doing noble things despite their inner bitching.
As with any book I read, I'm emulating its meditations while not reading it. I think about the social pressures that guide me and others around me. This all seems really appropriate given my previous sensitivity to social norms. My Xbox Live name is Social Norms. I've long been fascinated - and a little bitter - about the way people are moved by irrational, unchallenged phenomena. Now, don't get me wrong. Not all social norms are bad. I'm glad most people shower. I suppose if I lived somewhere that people don't I would be used to it. But other norms - girls dating assholes to be socially acceptable, guys acting tough because they're afraid of labeling, etc. - are my enemies.
Keyboarding is ending. I'm out of assignments but I can get away with writing this in Word.