Textuality and Identity

I'm not really sure what reference to self is associated with textuality and identity other than the reader of a text and their understanding or interpretation of the text. To elaborate even further there is a connection that a reader gains within the text commonly referred to as the subtext. For example in the Poisonwood Bible the first time I read it I was simply reading the text and I never found the subtext. It was just a story about a family from the south who moved to Africa to preach Christianity to the inhabitants. The second time I read the Poisonwood Bible, I looked at individual characters using a feminist lens. In doing this, I was able to identify characteristics I've seen in different women throughout my life, thus allowing for a personal connection with the text.

Motion=Time

 When I think of beginnings and endings the word infinite comes into play. And,  I don't have the capacity in my mind to understand this.  Aristotle, I think explains the concept of time in a poetic way. For him, time is the measurement of motion. In Aristotle's Metaphysics he writes, "And so motion, too, is continuous in the same manner as time is; for either motion and time are the same, or time is an attribute of motion"(1071b 10).  Aristotle loves to ask questions and then answer them. In his book on Physics he asks if there was a beginning to motion. Of course he answers this with, "it always existed and it will always exist, being (a)everlasting and (b) without the possibility of ceasing in what exists" (250b 1).


For some reason when I connect time with motion, I reflect upon astronomy and how early civilizations watched the movement of the sun, moon and stars. Hieroglyphics show us what these societies were thinking  and these drawings could possibly be the first efforts of communication or language.   

The question, is there a beginning of time, seems to be asked by all occupants of earth

I'm not an English Major

I can't remember if I had a literature class in high school. If I did it wasn't memorable enough to have me recall what we read or discussed. I took a Law and Literature class and during this course I began to feel there was a void in my education. Having three credits to finish my degree in two semesters, I decided to take this opportunity to expand upon my literary knowledge.

Here are some short answers to questions asked in class:

I started writing several stories about my life experiences but those have been pushed to the side to obtain my degree. I'm not an English major so the genera I've been writing in have been based on academia.

I really don't have a favorite movie because it depends on the mood I'm in as to my preference. However the first movie that popped in my head was Beauty and the Beast which has been made into a play. My youngest daughter had the opportunity to be in this play in jr high. This could be the reason I love this movie or maybe it’s because the message is so simple.

My favorite place to read and when the weather permits, I sit in my lounge chair and enjoy the sun. I'm a highlighter and love the sticky note tags you can mark with. I’m an oral person so I either have to have gum in my mouth or snacking on something and I always have to have a large glass of ice water.

My writing style is basically to regurgitate everything onto a word doc. this includes quotes and sources. Then I begin to organize this mess after that I print it out either on recycled paper or printing front and back. Then I take this document and edit it and continue the cycle until it feels right.  I like to start early so I can edit, edit, and edit.

Hidden Treasures

I've been doing research and began writing my senior thesis for my Integrated Studies cap II this summer. I've been narrowing my thesis statement down to get it precise enough to submit it for some conferences.  As I was reading our assignment the criticism "New Historicism, Cultural Studies (1980-present) describes exactly what my work is about. I attended a conference before school started with three women on the panel. Claudia Bushman talked about an oral history project she has been working on. She introduced the concept that history allows for limited views and preserving oral histories permits us to record those views.I got the concept she was speaking about but I'm not very quick at taking notes. So from our reading I now have the correct language to use in explaining my thesis.
I am a firm believer in  the fact that the universe knows my needs and I'm continually guided to where they can be met. I have found that each class I take has hidden treasures for me to find it's similar to opening a present. I knew that in taking this class it would help me with my writing. Nevertheless I didn't expect it to happen during our first reading.

Why are we doing this?

As I headed to my first class of this fall semester, I had various thoughts circulating throughout my mind. Taking the summer off, I really dreaded leaving my flexible schedule behind. I really shouldn't complain. I only have three classes to attend on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I also reflected that this would be my last fall semester as an under graduate. A bachelor's degree seemed impossible when I started this journey three years ago. I had little faith that I could complete  college math. After I  adjusted my attitude, I surpassed math 1050 and tackled statistics with an appreciation that all knowledge is useful.  As I reflect upon my freshman  year and my knowledge held then opposed to now. I can see that my degree is more than just a piece of paper with my name on it. I've been given a new lens to view the world, a new confidence, a new understanding, and better skills as a mother to encourage my daughters that they can achieve anything.

Text book ordered.