We want to accomplish two things in class today. First, let's extend our discussion of Bret Lott's book. Second, let's work on some creative writing.
Let's see if we can address the following questions. What myths exist in Lott's family? We can turn to "Uncle" and other essays to talk about this. What stories do they tell about each other and are these stories definitely true?
Second, is there a difference between what you see to be Bret Lott's character and what his character within the family is? For instance, is he silly within his family and serious without?
I want us to apply these questions to our own lives.
1) What are some of the big myths in our families?
I borrow here from Rita Dove:
"Explore a story that has been handed down in your family about one of your ancestors, and the effect of the story upon you. The cherished myth in your family may be that all the women are excellent cooks--but how does that account for your inedible meals? Or the myth is that your grandmother was a saint--though your mother still has scars on her back from the beatings. You may have always known that your favorite uncle was a POW and a war hero, but only recently did your mother mention that in the year you were born, he was also charged with killing his wife--a charge that was later dismissed, though your mother more or less knew he was guilty. Or maybe you've always been your parents' cherished only child, but the phone rings one day and you discover you have a sibling your parents gave up for adoption before they got married. Or when you were small your aunt was always 'lying down with a sick headache' in the evenings, which you came to understand was the family code for 'drunk out of her skull.'
"The myth may be somethign small or it may involve something monumental. Every family tells stories about itself, and the stories change over time, until sometimes they hardly resemble the reality that inspired them. What is your family's most significant myth? How did you discover it wasn't the ironclad truth? Explore why your family needed the myth, and how the myth helped to shape your own self-image."
2) Many times we fulfill roles within our families. In my family, I am the uncanny one, the oversensitive one, the one who eats way, way too much, the irreverent one. In some instances, these things are true, but in others they are not. They're merely roles I play (or can't help playing) because of the context of my family. What roles do you play within your family? To what extent is the family-you different from the outside-you?
Are you a trouble-maker within but not without? Are you the family clown but more serious with your friends? Are you a rockstar within your family and a wallflower when they're not around? Do they think you're reserved when you're really outlandish? Are you the little brother or sister in the family but more of a nurturer with your friends and others?
Choose one of these to write about (or respond to both of them if you want). Try to think about showing us scenes that illustrate the comments you're making. For example, bring us to a family party where you're acting a certain way or where a story is being told. Comment on it. Then, show us a scene where you're outside the family structure. What does the comparison show you about yourself, about the myths, about family itself--its comforts and discomforts, its truth and its masks.
Remember, we have 1200 words of creative writing do later in February. Consult the earlier assignment if you want to get started on that in class. Let's take a good hour to lay the groundwork.
Good luck.
