Taking Literary Criticism has done a great number of things for me, both academically and personally. I can now further interpret a text using varying (and often confusing) forms of criticisms, see the meaning behind an author's work, realize that no matter how far-fetched my interpretations about a text I can never be wrong because someone else did is more far-fetched, and...understand the cultural references in Gilmore Girls! Yes, I found a use for lit crit during an episode of "Gilmore Girls". If that isn't impressive (or sad), I don't know what is.
So here's the scenario: I'm lazily sitting around, watching my thousandth episode of the show that day (I was watching an entire season...what a productive break I had, hm?) and my ears perk up at the passing mention of a certain name. I quickly rewind to make sure I heard correctly and, yes, our favorite literary critic E.D. Hirsch was mentioned! He wasn't actually in the episode, he was just spoken about, but still...E.D. Hirsch! Now, I've seen this particular episode several times prior to this viewing and I never picked up on the name...nor would I have cared previously since I had no idea who he is. But now, as an educated student of literary criticism, I am able to appreciate the reference and understand it as well. Wow did I feel smart. Thank you, literary criticism, for enriching my life and allowing me to understand the obscure references in my favorite show. I'm a better person for it.
Posted by VanessaKolberg at April 9, 2007 1:23 PM | TrackBack