This inspired me to read Young Goodman Brown. Is the moral of the story not to judge others too harshly for their trespasses lest that feeling of moral superiority and piety actually cut us off from the good of the world?
Wow! First of all: Can I tell you how I excited I am that my fiction is leading people to read other poetry and fiction? I've gotten messages that people are reading Hughes, Paz, and now this Hawthorne! This thrills me. Second: I'm tempted to avoid getting pinned down with my conclusions for the theme of this story--no doubt some lurking Hawthorne scholar will arrive to put me down. I think yours rings true, and feels strongly reminiscent of a lot of what Hawthorne gets at in The Scarlet Letter. At the risk of too fully slipping into my 'that guy' role as a high school English teacher: is it that the put-on moral superiority and piety cut us off from the good of the world, or that they become a convincing guise that let's us fool ourselves about who we really are, cutting us off from the potential good of ourselves? Thanks so much for the read and comment!
I know. I haven't read that story (Goodman Brown) in ages. Your selection is texts is impeccable. I was very lucky to have had one or two teachers in life that really changed my life - reading this, Peter, I think you're one of those teachers. It is such a pleasure to read your work and to "see" your thinking in a narrative.
This chapter was of course another banger, Pete. The parallel of Garret and the narrator’s lives—one coasting, the other grappling with existential dread?—very nicely handled. That whole conversation about the new teachers is also painfully spot-on and had me both laughing and cringing.
You’re killing it with these layers—keep ‘em coming. This is exactly the kind of storytelling that makes people squirm and think at the same time. It's lively discussion. Congrats on everything so far!
Hey Peter. Got stopped here on some other things but just wanted to drop by here and on the next story to say I'm loving "Why Teach?"
—it’s both painfully accurate and weirdly comforting . . . Often like a very importantly cathartic venting session around the teacher's room.
I can confirm: the systemic absurdities you’re tackling aren’t just a Plains City thing, or even an American or Western thing at this point (all the international schools in Asia have lost their standing with parents, particularly in China, over this). You’ve nailed the duality of teaching—the idealism and the absolute nonsense we teachers wade through daily—with both heart and humour.
That scene with Adrienne in the laundry room? Gold. The nuance there—balancing authority, the empathy, etc.? I almost checked my own dryer midway through reading!
Anyhow, keep shining a light on this stuff through fiction—it’s exactly the kind of multifaceted approach that can get people thinking (and maybe laughing) in the right direction.
Looking forward catching up again! :)
(No pressure, but maybe add a few dryer sheets to soften the blow.)
You need to get "Be Your Best Self!" bumper stickers made - and also t-shirts - to use as promotional swag when the book is published. I love the way you had William say that phrase in this chapter. I'm going to start saying that myself whenever I encounter rude or annoying people. Another great chapter - can't wait to see what happens next!
This inspired me to read Young Goodman Brown. Is the moral of the story not to judge others too harshly for their trespasses lest that feeling of moral superiority and piety actually cut us off from the good of the world?
Wow! First of all: Can I tell you how I excited I am that my fiction is leading people to read other poetry and fiction? I've gotten messages that people are reading Hughes, Paz, and now this Hawthorne! This thrills me. Second: I'm tempted to avoid getting pinned down with my conclusions for the theme of this story--no doubt some lurking Hawthorne scholar will arrive to put me down. I think yours rings true, and feels strongly reminiscent of a lot of what Hawthorne gets at in The Scarlet Letter. At the risk of too fully slipping into my 'that guy' role as a high school English teacher: is it that the put-on moral superiority and piety cut us off from the good of the world, or that they become a convincing guise that let's us fool ourselves about who we really are, cutting us off from the potential good of ourselves? Thanks so much for the read and comment!
I know. I haven't read that story (Goodman Brown) in ages. Your selection is texts is impeccable. I was very lucky to have had one or two teachers in life that really changed my life - reading this, Peter, I think you're one of those teachers. It is such a pleasure to read your work and to "see" your thinking in a narrative.
The image of the cheerleader in a gas mask is so delightful and strange. Elegant and smart and funny. I look forward to more!
Excited to listen! You others suckas gotta read.
I've gone back and forth. I like both. I tend to do audiobooks when I'm doing housework. My wife really likes the sound of Peter's voice!
BECAUSE it means I'm doing housework!
He does have a very calming voice.
This chapter was of course another banger, Pete. The parallel of Garret and the narrator’s lives—one coasting, the other grappling with existential dread?—very nicely handled. That whole conversation about the new teachers is also painfully spot-on and had me both laughing and cringing.
You’re killing it with these layers—keep ‘em coming. This is exactly the kind of storytelling that makes people squirm and think at the same time. It's lively discussion. Congrats on everything so far!
Hey Peter. Got stopped here on some other things but just wanted to drop by here and on the next story to say I'm loving "Why Teach?"
—it’s both painfully accurate and weirdly comforting . . . Often like a very importantly cathartic venting session around the teacher's room.
I can confirm: the systemic absurdities you’re tackling aren’t just a Plains City thing, or even an American or Western thing at this point (all the international schools in Asia have lost their standing with parents, particularly in China, over this). You’ve nailed the duality of teaching—the idealism and the absolute nonsense we teachers wade through daily—with both heart and humour.
That scene with Adrienne in the laundry room? Gold. The nuance there—balancing authority, the empathy, etc.? I almost checked my own dryer midway through reading!
Anyhow, keep shining a light on this stuff through fiction—it’s exactly the kind of multifaceted approach that can get people thinking (and maybe laughing) in the right direction.
Looking forward catching up again! :)
(No pressure, but maybe add a few dryer sheets to soften the blow.)
Cheers!
Brock
You need to get "Be Your Best Self!" bumper stickers made - and also t-shirts - to use as promotional swag when the book is published. I love the way you had William say that phrase in this chapter. I'm going to start saying that myself whenever I encounter rude or annoying people. Another great chapter - can't wait to see what happens next!
Great chapter! I'm starting to get pissy about waiting for the subsequent chapters like this is radio and I'm in the 1930s!
Excellent--then I have you right where I want you. This Friday's chapter is one of my favorites in the book!