Thinking on the Page: Navigating Beliefs in Flux
When it comes to the personal essay, letās make a case against the know-it-alls. Think, be honest, and try to entertain the reader with original language and ideas. Small insights are perhaps more realistic than big ones. Who can say how to make the world a better place, but what happens if you decide to commit to checkout lines and being kind to the cashiers?
As writers, our keyboards and pens can guide us through the labyrinth of evolving beliefs. "Thinking on the Page" is a process of self-discovery, where disillusionment becomes the fertile ground for authentic narratives and introspection. Writing about beliefs in flux becomes a journey of self-discovery. Know-it-alls have no reason to learn. Disenchantment compels writers to think on the page, to confront the discomfort of uncertainty, and to embrace the beauty of intellectual evolution.
The Continuum of Uncertainty
The Continuum of UncertaintyLetās acknowledge that certainty and uncertainty can exist on a continuum. Oprah Winfrey's column, "What I Know for Sure," and Ralph Waldo Emerson's timeless advice from Self-Reliance about speaking one's evolving thoughts, reflect two distinct approaches to personal expression. Oprah's column, with its titled certainty, embodies a sense of grounded wisdom. In "What I Know for Sure," she offers reflections on life, distilling her accumulated knowledge into affirmations of personal truths. This approach exudes a sense of confidence and self-assurance. There is a place for this in writing, but itās not the spirit of the personal essay.
The word "essay" evolves from the French word "essayer," which means "to attempt" or "to try," reflecting the original intention of the essay as a literary form to explore and experiment with ideas. Emerson's words advocate for intellectual fluidity and the acceptance of contradictory beliefs. His call to "speak what you think today" and then "speak what tomorrow thinks" captures the essence of a dynamic, ever-evolving mindset. An essay is a mind at work.
The dualism of Oprahās column and Emersonās essays stand for a spectrum of expression. Ā On one hand we have assurance of established wisdom, on the other the continual process of self-questioning and growth. Neither approach is a panacea. Letās make a case for ideas in flux.
(Aside -Let me acknowledge a love for Oprah. Iām in flux. The name of her column doesnāt resonate with me, but I love so much of how she supports personal growth, literature, and being a life-long learner.)
Thinking on the Page: A Dance with Disillusionment
Personal essay writers like Phillip Lopate, George Orwell, and Annie Dillard have masterfully danced with disillusionment. They are masters. When they think on the page, we trace their thoughts and experience how ideas, experience, and information shape beliefs.
Phillip Lopate's Artful Reflection
Phillip Lopate's Artful ReflectionIn Against Joie de Vivre, Ā Phillip Lopate shows himself as a contrarian or, as he humorously puts it, a "party pooper" when it comes to societal expectations, particularly those associated with dinner parties. Lopate opens the essay by acknowledging his tendency to resist the prevailing norms of social enjoyment and cheerfulness. He critiques the societal pressure to conform to a joyful, celebratory demeanor. He articulates his discomfort with the expected performances of happiness and conviviality, suggesting that he is resistant to the prescribed joy that these social gatherings demand. Lopate uses humor and self-awareness to portray himself as someone who disrupts the expected norms of social interaction, setting the stage for an exploration of his personal philosophy and the reasons behind his contrarian stance. Through this setup, Lopate invites readers to join him in questioning the authenticity of social interactions.
If you meet Lopate, (I was fortunate enough to study with him), youāll find him to be kind and socially adept, with a tad of awkwardness. He laughs easily and can tuck away the demanding professor when called for. Heās generous. That is the essence of his self-disclosure as a āparty pooper.āĀ The effect of his honesty in my life, is that if Iām feeling socially awkward, I carry the belief that Lopateās take would be that Iām normal.
Unraveling Paradigms: George Orwell's Interrogation
Unraveling Paradigms: George Orwell's InterrogationGeorge Orwell, in his timeless essay "Politics and the English Language," challenges the fabric of political discourse. His dissection of language and its manipulation is a prime example of "thinking on the page." Orwell's ability to scrutinize his own political convictions paved the way for a searing critique that remains relevant.
George Orwell's Linguistic Inquiry
Orwell unravels the intricate ties between language and ideology. The act of writing becomes a tool for deconstructing illusions.
In Orwell's "Politics and the English Language," he criticizes the misuse of language in political discourse. He asserts that the degradation of language reflects and perpetuates dishonesty and obfuscation in political thought. Orwell contends that political language is often employed not to express ideas but to conceal them, creating a breeding ground for vague and meaningless rhetoric. He writes, "Political language... is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind." Orwell recognizes a reciprocal relationship between language and political manipulation, arguing that the decline of linguistic standards contributes to the erosion of critical thinking. He makes the case for clarity and precision, asserting that the choice of words directly influences the quality of thought. Orwell's opinions in the essay underscore the profound impact of language on political discourse and the urgent need for integrity in political speech. We still donāt have that illusive integrity.Ā As writers, we can seek it in our own words. We can keep advocating for honesty.
Annie Dillard's Poetic Contemplation
Annie Dillard's Poetic ContemplationAnnie Dillard, in "Pilgrim at Tinker Creek," weaves a tapestry of poetic contemplation. Her reflections on nature and existence encapsulate the spirit of "thinking on the page." She surprises herself. Dillard's prose is a testament to the beauty that emerges when writers embrace the uncertainty of their evolving beliefs.
Annie Dillard's Nature-infused Exploration
Dillard's book of essays invites readers to see the world through her changing lens, where every observation is a step in the dance of self-discovery. "Thinking on the page" becomes a poetic endeavor, a way to navigate the fluidity of beliefs with grace and introspection.
Because Dillard is open to having an original experience with nature, she steps away from romanticized awe.Ā She steps towards a more complex and realistic relationship with the natural world. In "Pilgrim at Tinker Creek," Dillard challenges the romanticized view of animals often portrayed in popular media, such as Disney films. Dillard's observations depict the natural world as a place of struggle and survival. Ā Animals face challenges such as predation, disease, and competition for resources. Rather than conforming to a sentimentalized narrative, Dillard portrays the raw and unfiltered aspects of the animal kingdom, showcasing the primal instincts and harsh conditions that govern their existence. They are scarred and beat up. This perspective underscores Dillard's commitment to presenting a more realistic and nuanced portrayal of nature.
Thinking on the Page: A Personal Odyssey
In this journey of "Thinking on the Page," writers embark on a personal odyssey. Ā Itās a challenge to be unsure and then present the evolving thought with organizational clarity. Yet the things you are unsure about are likely to be more engaging essay subjects. Thereās tension and novelty there. When editing our work, letās keep the evolution of ideas on the page. Donāt edit it out, trying to be the expert.
Be an honest seeker rather than a pontificator, A personal essay is a walk in an intellectual and emotional labyrinth. Keep the journey on the page. The examples set by Lopate, Orwell, and Dillard remind us that on the page, our beliefs take shape, evolve, and find their authentic voice. So, let's embrace the transformative power of "Thinking on the Page" as we navigate the ever-shifting seas of our convictions. Ā Let the moments of discovering you had it wrong and other moments of insight appear on the page as you consider and confront your own thoughts. The intellectual journey must arrive somewhere. Itās okay to find out you donāt really like Thanksgiving, or that you are a cat person rather than a dog person, or that your political views have changed.Ā Explore your reasons and perhaps change your mind again. Every time a writer presents uncertainty and evolving beliefs, they make a case for growth in critical thinking and honesty,
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