Your post resonated with me. I, too, struggle with feeling that I've "wasted my life." Thanks for making me feel a little less alone.
Since you asked about whether we're doing community read-along programs, yes. My whole Substack is essentially premised on being a read-along. I've done Plato's Republic, and am focusing on the book of Deuteronomy this year.
Thank you for this wonderful piece Zina. Your courage is inspiring me to be a more honest writer and I so appreciate that. I was going to write about national poetry month for my next article but this story has caused me to pivot and cover something a bit more personal. By the way, your bit about pursuing Latin in your adult life despite being told as a child women have no reason to learn it reminds me of one of my favorite fictional characters, Dagny, from Atlas Shrugged. Here's the line from Atlas Shrugged I thought of when I read your anecdote: “She was fifteen when it occurred to her for the first time that women did not run railroads and that people might object. To hell with that, she thought- and never worried about it again.”
I don't think we are made to learn by ourselves. I am only lately experiencing the joy of learning with others, after earning a B.A. in English (and Studio Arts) and an M.A. in English (emphasis writing)—where nobody discussed anything outside of class— and after I have read voraciously my whole life. But I am finally enjoying good conversations about literary works in a Well Read Moms group. The discussion during last Saturday's meeting went on for three hours and we could barely get ourselves to stop.
Thank you so much for sharing. There is nothing more comforting than the company of readers. Substack and the various reads I’m doing with fellow travelers absolutely lifts me up especially through the long, dark winter.
Zina, this essay means so much! Substack really has been a life boat for me during a time of isolation, as well. I'm honored to count you as part of my community.
Thank you for sharing so well the backstory of your pursuit of knowledge. It seems your challenges have been transformed into motivation, and are bearing fruit. That is so awesome - I'm happy for you!
Gratefully, my dad was raised by women, so he was never bothered that my brain was analytical *and* creative. Parents do their best with the tools they have.
Thank you for opening my mind up to the existence of free study groups online! I didn't realize they were becoming more popular -- a hope that we can keep arts and culture education alive despite the patterns unfolding now in schools of all levels.
Zina, love this and it is one of the reasons I love this community. There is so much to learn here and while I do enjoy learning on my own, it is better with others who are on a similar journey. I signed up for the website you mentioned and I am receiving their emails now. I don't have the bandwidth at the moment to sign up for one of their courses but am hoping that after I retire from the Navy I will have some more time on my hands. I am also in the very beginning stages of thinking through and planning out a read-along of The Iliad and The Odyssey for next year. I am not an expert on either but sometimes we learn by teaching!
Thanks, Zina, for this encouraging post. I understand the frustration of trying to learn on one’s own. Indeed, that’s a big part of the life of a scholar. That’s why I appreciate what is going on in this space. The gatekeepers of the ivory tower are, indeed, merciless, though it’s really more of an ingrained system than any individual will that is responsible for the mercilessness, which makes it difficult to reform. I know this, frankly, as one of the “gatekeepers,” though a low-level one. I try to make up for this by telling my graduate students that intelligent people outside the academy will be interested in our work if we present it to them in an encouraging way: we don’t have to dumb it down or make compromises. Simon, Josh, you, and many others are proving this every day here. Well done. (Now if only I could demonstrate to the university that what I do here is more valuable than what I publish in academic journals, because people actually read it and respond to it.)
Thank you. I miss it too!!!!! You always inspired me to look at things in different ways. Glad I can still read your Substack.
Your post resonated with me. I, too, struggle with feeling that I've "wasted my life." Thanks for making me feel a little less alone.
Since you asked about whether we're doing community read-along programs, yes. My whole Substack is essentially premised on being a read-along. I've done Plato's Republic, and am focusing on the book of Deuteronomy this year.
I don't doubt you, Zina! You've got a good plan. (I don't know what an SESP or a PTO or an IEP are.) :-)
Thank you for this wonderful piece Zina. Your courage is inspiring me to be a more honest writer and I so appreciate that. I was going to write about national poetry month for my next article but this story has caused me to pivot and cover something a bit more personal. By the way, your bit about pursuing Latin in your adult life despite being told as a child women have no reason to learn it reminds me of one of my favorite fictional characters, Dagny, from Atlas Shrugged. Here's the line from Atlas Shrugged I thought of when I read your anecdote: “She was fifteen when it occurred to her for the first time that women did not run railroads and that people might object. To hell with that, she thought- and never worried about it again.”
I don't think we are made to learn by ourselves. I am only lately experiencing the joy of learning with others, after earning a B.A. in English (and Studio Arts) and an M.A. in English (emphasis writing)—where nobody discussed anything outside of class— and after I have read voraciously my whole life. But I am finally enjoying good conversations about literary works in a Well Read Moms group. The discussion during last Saturday's meeting went on for three hours and we could barely get ourselves to stop.
Thank you so much for sharing. There is nothing more comforting than the company of readers. Substack and the various reads I’m doing with fellow travelers absolutely lifts me up especially through the long, dark winter.
Zina, this essay means so much! Substack really has been a life boat for me during a time of isolation, as well. I'm honored to count you as part of my community.
Indeed!
Thank you for sharing so well the backstory of your pursuit of knowledge. It seems your challenges have been transformed into motivation, and are bearing fruit. That is so awesome - I'm happy for you!
Gratefully, my dad was raised by women, so he was never bothered that my brain was analytical *and* creative. Parents do their best with the tools they have.
Thank you for opening my mind up to the existence of free study groups online! I didn't realize they were becoming more popular -- a hope that we can keep arts and culture education alive despite the patterns unfolding now in schools of all levels.
Dangit!!! Your essay reminded me of something I forgot: yesterday was Shelfie Saturday! Hangonaminit I gotta grab my camera…
Zina, love this and it is one of the reasons I love this community. There is so much to learn here and while I do enjoy learning on my own, it is better with others who are on a similar journey. I signed up for the website you mentioned and I am receiving their emails now. I don't have the bandwidth at the moment to sign up for one of their courses but am hoping that after I retire from the Navy I will have some more time on my hands. I am also in the very beginning stages of thinking through and planning out a read-along of The Iliad and The Odyssey for next year. I am not an expert on either but sometimes we learn by teaching!
You amaze me. I am glad you left that fire with your mind ….. it is a gift.
Thanks, Zina, for this encouraging post. I understand the frustration of trying to learn on one’s own. Indeed, that’s a big part of the life of a scholar. That’s why I appreciate what is going on in this space. The gatekeepers of the ivory tower are, indeed, merciless, though it’s really more of an ingrained system than any individual will that is responsible for the mercilessness, which makes it difficult to reform. I know this, frankly, as one of the “gatekeepers,” though a low-level one. I try to make up for this by telling my graduate students that intelligent people outside the academy will be interested in our work if we present it to them in an encouraging way: we don’t have to dumb it down or make compromises. Simon, Josh, you, and many others are proving this every day here. Well done. (Now if only I could demonstrate to the university that what I do here is more valuable than what I publish in academic journals, because people actually read it and respond to it.)
Yes, the slow read is too fast! It's one of the reasons why I have repeated it again this year. Great post!