Some Old-fashioned Book

[lotesse]

Why did I never read "The Mill on the Floss" as a child? It's exactly the sort of thing that I loved so much then (and continue to love now). George Eliot has fantastic recollection of what it is to be a child--thinking, dreaming, being out in the world, dealing with grownups.

And little Maggie is perfect--attractive but human. It's an odd feeling, to be reading such a book for the first time now. The other books like that, Anne of Green Gables and the Louisa May Alcott books, I read first as a girl. And identified with characters first as a child. When I got older, those child-identifications were all still there, driven in to me by long associations. They were joined by outside grownup perceptions, but the child-idenitifications were always there first. This time, it's more even. I'm having a hard time telling if I *am* Maggie or merely very fond of her, in the way that I am fond of other sweet small nine-year-olds of my acquaintance. A bit of both, perhaps. Rather vertiginous.

Anyway, I'm reading a novel for class! Tis hasn't happened to me for a while--it's been all poetry as far as te eye can see. I've a close reading paper due Friday, and I think I'm going to try to work on "Mill". I don't know hat I've ever done a real, full, scholastic close reading of prose before. Should be interesting.

Comments

[slashfairy.livejournal.com]

Lord, this is where I wish we lived right down the block from each other. I've got these child lit papers due and it's killing me. I've got almost NO background in 'academic-style close reading'... I wish I did, but it's just not there. So the reading for different things, and analyzing it, in an organized fashion- so damn difficult without training.

I've never read it either. Should do now, though. -adds to list-

[lotesse]

You know, I'll read essays for you if you like. I'ma bang-up editor--I'm nursing my sister through AP Lit right now, anyway, and I like doing it. If you want, I'll give you my school email, the one that I actually use, and we can go ove a few things. :)

[slashfairy.livejournal.com]

That would be super. I hesitate to even call them essays at this point. I'm crap with a 'strong clear thesis' and 'supporting paragraphs'. Always have been, it's the narrative path through the woods, past the pond and under the overhang, or nothing, with me. -sigh- But yeah. Anything would be so wonderful. I can do it if I'm guided- it's just, for nursing, that's not the kind of writing that's emphasized.

Your school email would be very kind, yes. I'd appreciate that. you can mail it to anajana1 at mac dot com if you like.

Oh, your friend theprimrosepath friended me. Good peoples? I'm shy to friend back but will happily on your rec. =)

[lotesse]

Yeah, friend away. I'll send you an email, nd don't worry about quality. :)

[sistermagpie.livejournal.com]

Yay! I read Mill in college and so loved it forever.