Dear Class,
A
very wise student pointed out today that the "river tooth" essays we
read this week are all pretty intense and traumatic. Please don't think
that your river tooth essay ought to be traumatic.
The river tooth directions state, "Often
'river tooth' experiences are memories of scenes or short events with
high emotional content. Your job is to write about your own 'river
tooth' experience by simply describing the memory of a past life event.
Convey the emotional impact it had on you. You do not need to reflect on
the meaning of the event (you’ll do that for your personal essay). You
are just capturing the imagery and emotional impact of the experience
through detail and narration (story telling)."
As
you write your essay, remember that you will have to share your essay
with your peers at the Thursday Gathering, and with me. The wise student
mentioned above writes that some students "may divulge ordeals that
only bishops or trained therapists should hear. The first reading, about
lust and trauma, plants in the mind images that could invite students
to share abuse or other topics that are not appropriate to share in
casual class settings."
So
be prayerful as you decide what to write. You can write about something
that had an emotional impact--and the emotional impact can be positive!
I
know I've bombarded you with marathon stories, but describing how I
felt at the finish line of my marathon would be an absolute pleasure.
Look at me: I'm not doing anything for anyone--I am pure happy.
Describing that moment in detail would meet the river tooth
requirements, and it would be fun to write. If you are concerned about
the content of your essay, will you please email me? I want this to be a
good experience for all of us.
Love,
Sister Bowen
No comments:
Post a Comment