Best of Week: Same Paragraph Different Interpretation

When Mr. Allen brought up the fact that we need to become more deeply rooted in the texts we read, I realized how difficult that can be. First of all, when I was looking at the segments in class, I couldn’t initially come up with any insightful ideas; so, I was immediately worried about the test. I found that once someone read the section in question out loud I could think about more complex ideas. Maybe that is because you get another perspective once you hear someone else’s tone or inflections.

Next, I realized that grading a test like the one tomorrow must be very difficult because not everyone has the same ideas or insights. For instance, I’ll examine the paragraph at the bottom of 157 (we talked about this in class). Daniel spoke about how even the people in power (winners) are losers in the war. I personally didn’t see that at all when I analyzed that paragraph. I didn’t even catch the absurdity of a racetrack becoming a hospital. What I picked up on was the idea of waiting and how a hospital can be like a jail because Michael K said he had, “given himself up as a prisoner to this war.”I though Coetzee was trying to get the reader to focus on how a hospital, which should be helpful place of recovery and healing, has become a camp or jail as well, a place of suppression. That to me is absurd.

The next thing I want to talk about is how you can feel like a leech when you write about other people’s ideas. Stephanie and I were chatting and we both think it is difficult to complete tests like the one tomorrow because you don’t want to write about what we talked about in class. I think everyone in class feels the pressure to come up with their own amazing ideas. In class, Ali was discussing how, on page 184 of Life and Times of Michael K, K. had reached a point of self actualization where he could help others prosper and survive while he can LIVE a fulfilling life. I completely agree with the statements made in class, but I didn’t want to say anything for fear of repetition. In my head I tried to reject that idea and come up with one of my own, no matter how stupid. I was tried to pick up on the fact that ONE can live. Although K has reached a point of self actualization and helping others, I think he was trying to show someone else that they can make it on their own, as seen through Michael’s own troubles. He’s trying to teach a man to fish, so that other person can find his/her own meaning or way of thriving. Michael K might be trying to get across the fact that, “Hey, I made it on my own and this is my destiny. Here’s a way to get started. I’ll help you survive, but find you own life/meaning.” At this point, I have no clue is this is even a good thought!

Now that this post is nearing an end I’m starting to worry more about the test tomorrow. I’m sure it has crossed everyone’s mind that you can come up with different interpretations of the same text, but I wanted to reiterate it.