Dear Friend,
I like to read aloud, so I've made a short video for you.
How embarrassing! But also fun.
Why in the world did I pick this particular passage? Just tonight I was telling my oldest two kids not to talk about such things on social media!
Oh well. :-)
Love,
A
I posted my first vlogs this week too. I could listen to you read all day, not about discharging loads. I always wondered why books like the Little House series never mentioned the outhouse.
ReplyDeleteMelisa, My friend's father grew up in Walnut Grove, MN. He remembered hearing older residents of his community reminisce about Pa Ingalls. None of what they said about him was shameful, but neither was it filtered through the lens of an adoring daughter. Pa was human; he had weaknesses, made mistakes, and sometimes he frustrated people. I didn't read LH for years because I thought this insider info discredited Laura's voice. I finally came to it after I became a mother. Now I'm grateful for the angles Laura chose. I love Pa's laughter "which sounded like bells." I hope my children would give me such grace!
DeleteBut excrement is an important theme in GT. It's a different kind of book, written for a different purpose. I found the following explanation yesterday morning on Sparknotes (This is probably why I went to that passage when I got to the river yesterday eve!):
"Excrement
While it may seem a trivial or laughable motif, the recurrent mention of excrement in Gulliver’s Travels actually has a serious philosophical significance in the narrative. It symbolizes everything that is crass and ignoble about the human body and about human existence in general, and it obstructs any attempt to view humans as wholly spiritual or mentally transcendent creatures. Since the Enlightenment culture of eighteenth-century England tended to view humans optimistically as noble souls rather than vulgar bodies, Swift’s emphasis on the common filth of life is a slap in the face of the philosophers of his day. Thus, when Gulliver urinates to put out a fire in Lilliput, or when Brobdingnagian flies defecate on his meals, or when the scientist in Lagado works to transform excrement back into food, we are reminded how very little human reason has to do with everyday existence. Swift suggests that the human condition in general is dirtier and lowlier than we might like to believe it is."
That was so fun, and funny. I'm glad you shared it. Your giggles toward the end are perfect given the passage you are reading. (I totally remember that passage, too. How can I forget?)
ReplyDeleteI read your comments above and find it extremely interesting how Swift used that to counter the philosophy of his day. What a way to do it.
BTW, I am reading through the LH series with my kids, and we are in Farmer Boy right now. I am so thankful Laura skipped the personal and private parts of everyday life. It is better left unsaid.
This is the sort of passage middle school friends would giggle over, isn't it? :-)
DeleteI've been wanting to vlog a reading lately, but I had not put much thought into what it would be. Yesterday eve, I had a short window of opportunity because my parents had my 2 youngest. When I got set up by the river the sun had just set and there were mosquitoes about! I decided not to over-think it. The first portion is more articulate because my false starts gave me some practice! After I got to the word "disburthened" I was in new territory. I had never spoken that word aloud and I said it wrong! I decided to leave it, but I was distracted after that! Oh my word! I'd love to hear you give a reading, Ruth! :-) This was really fun.
No way! I know we should never say never, but I can say with all certainty that I shall never be able to do one.
DeleteYou have a beautiful reading voice, with almost a British-sounding accent. It's so cool.
I have a Brooklyn accent! Not a reading voice. : D
I've never met an accent I didn't like, Ruth! Seriously. :-)
Delete(How about A Tree Grows in Brooklyn? One of my favorites.)
So nice to hear your voice, Adriana, in spite of the subject matter! :-) Interesting quote you've shared above, too. Yes, I thought the same as Melissa -- I even think that when I watch Downton Abbey too! :-) (But I'm glad they DON'T show Lady Mary using the chamber pot...)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jeannie!
DeleteI once saw a chamber pot with a picture of Queen Victoria inside the bowl. Merciful Heavens! How appalling! :-p
I tried to find a picture for you, but instead I found this:
"Keep me clean and use me well. And what I see I will not tell."
https://www.google.com/search?q=chamber+pot+with+picture+of+queen+victoria+inside&es_sm=93&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=NW1aU5DtJcjA2gXj8oCADQ&ved=0CCgQsAQ&biw=1738&bih=910&dpr=0.75#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=H8LKig_8AXvazM%253A%3BvIiX1r4_2nZOFM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252F1.bp.blogspot.com%252F-zNZArzmgzdg%252FUk63dfSO0iI%252FAAAAAAAAAHg%252FhoWXY5x_lEI%252Fs1600%252Fchamberpot.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fthe-history-girls.blogspot.com%252F2013_10_01_archive.html%3B450%3B360
"That uneasy load" - do I ever know that feeling!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the vlog, Adriana. I'm glad you took the plunge, and that you chose such a great passage for your inaugural voyage. Nicely done!
Tim
P.S. Please never edit out the giggling, or if you are in a somber passage a sob or two. It adds much to the experience for your listeners.
Tim, Thank you for the kazoo lesson video! That made me laugh and gave me courage to try out my own idea! The timing could not have been more perfect.
Deletehttp://timfall.wordpress.com/2014/04/21/the-kazoo-a-musical-blessing/
Loved this! And awesome to hear your voice.
ReplyDeleteI've been meaning to do a vlog... One day perhaps. :)
Thank you, o! I look forward to your future vlog-post!
DeleteI follow you on Bloglovin, but I only check my feed about once a week. Are you on Twitter? If so, be sure to tweet me when that post goes up! :-)
Well done, well done!
ReplyDeleteKSP
Aw . . . Thank you, KSP! (I'm blushing.)
Deleteyour reading voice - it's like watching a play. haha. i did not understand a thing! i was fascinated with the rise and fall of your voice.(the reading voice in my head when i read has no variation of pitch at all.) i had to play it twice. You are a pro!
ReplyDeleteWell, thank you, Sheena. :-) I wish I could have made it more clear for you. Was I too fast? Hopefully I'll be less nervous and easier to understand next time. I would so love to hear you read one of your poems with your own accent! That would bless me to no end! Will you consider it?
DeleteNo it was not fast. It was just right. I was just shocked and delighted to finally hear a voice from you.( I'm only realizing it now but there is something about the human voice, that maybe eyes are not the only window to a man's soul but so could voice) So at first play i did not focus at the meaning of your words but at the tone of your voice. I can hear that you are a strong and confident woman. Surprise! ha.
Deletehmmm maybe i can. im a bit shy. haha :)
You have a great reading voice! That was fun. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for listening, Jean! :-)
Delete