August 19, 2024

Alexie, Lamott, and Zinsser: Some Notes

Oour reading in ENGL 1101 begins with three essays that are applicable to new college students, and therefore those new to college pressures, including writing at a college level: Sherman Alexie’s “The Joy of Reading and Writing: Superman and Me” (1997), Anne Lamott’s “Shitty First Drafts” (1994), and William Zinsser’s “College Pressures” (1979).

Alexie

Sherman Alexie’s essay “The Joy of Reading and Writing: Superman and Me,” published in 1997 in The Los Angeles Times, reflects on the impact of reading and writing on his life as a Native American. Alexie, a Spokane-Coeur d’Alene Indian, recounts his experiences growing up on a reservation and how his early love of books shaped his identity and future. The essay serves as both a personal narrative and a commentary on the broader issues of education and cultural identity for Native Americans.

Alexie begins by describing how he learned to read at a very young age using a Superman comic book. Despite not fully understanding the words, he grasped the concept of reading and how words formed ideas. This early exposure to reading sparked a lifelong passion for books and learning. He emphasizes that reading gave him a sense of power and agency in a world where he often felt powerless.

Alexie challenges the stereotypes often associated with Native Americans, particularly the notion that they are not intellectually capable or interested in academic success. He recalls how, even as a child, he was aware of the low expectations society had for him and other Native American students. However, his determination to read and learn defied these expectations and allowed him to carve out a different path for himself.

For Alexie, books were a means of survival. Growing up in a poor, isolated community with limited opportunities, reading offered him a way to transcend his circumstances. He describes how he voraciously consumed any book he could find, seeing each one as a tool to improve his understanding of the world and his place in it. This passion for reading not only helped him succeed academically but also gave him hope for a better future.

The essay also addresses the tension between Alexie’s Native American heritage and the predominantly white educational system. While he acknowledges the challenges and conflicts inherent in navigating these two worlds, he argues that literacy and education are crucial tools for Native Americans to assert their identity and resist cultural erasure. He sees his success as a writer and educator as a way to give back to his community and inspire other Native American children to pursue their own educational journeys.

Writing, for Alexie, became an extension of his love of reading. It allowed him to express his thoughts, tell his stories, and challenge the dominant narratives that often marginalized or misrepresented Native Americans. Through writing, he was able to create a space where his voice and the voices of others in his community could be heard and valued.

“The Joy of Reading and Writing: Superman and Me” highlights the transformative power of literacy. Alexie’s narrative illustrates how reading and writing can be tools of empowerment, especially for those who are marginalized by society. His essay is not only a testament to his own resilience but also a call to action for educators and communities to nurture the intellectual potential of all children, regardless of their background.

Lamott

Anne Lamott’s essay “Shitty First Drafts,” from her 1994 book Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life, offers a candid and encouraging perspective on the writing process. Lamott, an accomplished novelist and memoirist, focuses on the often-overlooked reality that even experienced writers produce imperfect first drafts. The essay is a part of her broader reflections on the challenges and joys of writing.

Lamott emphasizes that the first draft of any piece of writing is likely to be “shitty”—disorganized, unfocused, and far from polished. She argues that this stage is not just acceptable but essential. The first draft is where writers get their ideas down without worrying about perfection, allowing creativity to flow freely. She likens it to the process of getting everything on the page, knowing that it will be refined later.

Lamott dispels the myth that good writing emerges fully formed from the writer’s mind. Instead, she describes writing as a multi-step process that begins with a rough, unpolished draft. This perspective is liberating because it removes the pressure to produce perfect prose from the outset, which can be paralyzing for many writers.

After producing a “shitty” first draft, the real work of writing begins in the revision process. Lamott suggests that revision is where clarity, structure, and style are developed. The first draft is just the foundation upon which the final piece is built. By accepting that the first draft will be messy, writers can focus on improving their work without getting stuck in self-criticism during the initial stages.

Lamott addresses the common struggle with perfectionism that many writers face. She encourages writers to silence the internal critic that demands perfection and instead embrace the imperfections of the first draft. This approach fosters a more relaxed and productive writing experience, as it allows for experimentation and exploration without the fear of failure.

Ultimately, Lamott views writing as a journey that involves trial and error. The "shitty first draft" is just one part of this journey, a necessary step toward discovering what the final piece will become. By demystifying the writing process and acknowledging its messiness, Lamott offers a compassionate and realistic view of what it takes to produce good writing.

“Shitty First Drafts” serves as a reassuring reminder that all writers, regardless of experience, grapple with the messiness of creating something from nothing. Lamott’s essay offers an antidote to the fear of the blank page, encouraging writers to embrace imperfection as an integral part of the creative process.

Zinsser

William Zinsser’s essay “College Pressures” (1979) examines the various pressures that college students face and the negative effects these pressures can have on their mental and physical well-being. Zinsser, a writer and educator, identifies four main types of pressure: economic pressure, parental pressure, peer pressure, and self-induced pressure.

Zinsser highlights the financial strain that students face, especially those who must work part-time jobs or take out loans to afford their education. This economic burden often forces students to prioritize practical, high-paying majors over their true interests, leading to stress and dissatisfaction.

Zinsser discusses how many students feel intense pressure from their parents to succeed academically and professionally. Parents, often with the best intentions, push their children toward prestigious careers or majors, creating a sense of obligation and anxiety in students who may have different aspirations.

Zinsser notes the competition among students, where the drive to outperform peers can lead to unhealthy stress. This pressure is exacerbated by a culture that values success and achievement, often leading students to overextend themselves in academics and extracurricular activities.

Finally, Zinsser explores how students place enormous pressure on themselves to meet their own high expectations. This self-imposed stress can be the most damaging, as students strive for perfection and fear failure, often to the detriment of their health and happiness.

Throughout the essay, Zinsser argues that these pressures can lead to burnout, anxiety, and a loss of the joy of learning. He advocates for a more balanced approach to education, where students are encouraged to explore their passions and take the time to enjoy their college experience without being overwhelmed by external pressures.

Zinsser’s essay remains relevant as it addresses the universal concerns of students navigating the demands of higher education, making it a valuable text for understanding the challenges that come with the pursuit of academic and personal success.

Synthesis

When considered together, the essays by Zinsser, Lamott, and Alexie explore the challenges and rewards of intellectual and creative pursuits. Despite their different focuses—college pressures, the writing process, and the power of reading and writing in a marginalized community—these essays share several themes that are particularly relevant to new college students today.

The Struggle Against Perfectionism

Both Lamott’s “Shitty First Drafts” and Zinsser’s “College Pressures” address the overwhelming pressure to achieve perfection. Lamott emphasizes that the first draft of any work is bound to be flawed, encouraging writers to embrace imperfection as a natural part of the creative process. Zinsser highlights how students are often driven by external pressures—parental, economic, peer, and self-imposed—to succeed at any cost, leading to stress and anxiety. Together, these essays suggest that the quest for perfection can be paralyzing and counterproductive. For new college students, it’s important to allow oneself room to experiment, make mistakes, and learn from them, rather than being fixated on flawless results from the outset.

The Importance of Persistence

Alexie’s “Superman and Me” and Lamott’s essay both stress the value of persistence in the face of challenges. Alexie describes how reading and writing became his tools for survival and success, even in the face of societal and cultural obstacles. Lamott similarly portrays writing as a process that requires persistence, where even the most accomplished writers must work through messy first drafts to arrive at something worthwhile. For college students, the lesson here is that persistence—whether in reading, writing, or any academic endeavor—is crucial for growth and success. It’s not about getting it right the first time but about continuing to push forward despite setbacks and maybe even learning valuable lessons from failures, as Zinsser suggests.

The Role of Literacy and Education in Empowerment

Alexie’s essay places a strong emphasis on the role of literacy in personal empowerment, particularly within marginalized communities. Zinsser also indirectly touches on the idea that education can be a path to empowerment, though he warns against letting external pressures undermine the joy of learning. Both essays suggest that education and literacy are not just about acquiring knowledge but about finding one’s voice and place in the world. New college students can take from this the understanding that their education is a powerful tool for personal and societal change, and that they should pursue it with a sense of purpose and passion.

Navigating External Expectations

Zinsser’s “College Pressures” and Alexie’s “Superman and Me” both address the challenge of navigating external expectations—whether from society, parents, or peers. Zinsser discusses how these pressures can lead students to choose paths that are not aligned with their true interests, while Alexie describes how he defied societal expectations by embracing his love of reading and writing. The common theme here is the tension between societal pressures and individual aspirations. For new college students, this highlights the importance of staying true to oneself and pursuing paths that resonate personally, rather than simply conforming to external expectations.

The Value of Resilience and Adaptability

All three essays emphasize the need for resilience and adaptability in the face of challenges. Whether it’s dealing with the pressures of college, the frustrations of the writing process, or the obstacles faced by a marginalized community, these essays suggest that resilience is key to overcoming difficulties and achieving success. New college students can learn that resilience—whether in academic work, creative endeavors, or personal development—is a critical trait for navigating the complexities of college life and beyond.

Takeaways for New College Students

1. Embrace Imperfection: Understand that your first attempts, whether in writing or other academic tasks, are not expected to be perfect. The process of learning involves making mistakes and refining your work over time.
2. Persist Despite Challenges: Success in college and beyond requires persistence. Don’t be discouraged by initial setbacks; instead, view them as opportunities to grow and improve.
3. Empower Yourself Through Education: Recognize the transformative power of education and literacy. Use your college experience to find your voice, develop your identity, and pursue your passions.
4. Balance External Expectations with Personal Goals: While it’s important to acknowledge external expectations, don’t let them dictate your choices. Stay true to your own interests and goals, and pursue a path that feels right for you.
5. Cultivate Resilience: College will present challenges, but resilience and adaptability will help you navigate them. Approach your education with an open mind and a willingness to learn from every experience.

Questions for Consideration

1. Reflect on the pressures you face as a college student today. How do they compare to the pressures described by Zinsser in 1979? Do you think these pressures have increased, decreased, or changed in nature? Support your argument with specific examples from your own experiences and observations.
2. Zinsser argues that the pressures faced by college students can lead to a loss of joy in learning. Write an essay discussing whether you agree or disagree with this statement. How can students balance the demands of academic success with the pursuit of personal interests and passions?
3. Imagine you are a college advisor. Using insights from Zinsser’s essay, write a letter to a new college student offering advice on how to manage the various pressures they will encounter. How would you encourage them to prioritize their mental health and personal growth?
4. Lamott suggests that the key to writing is to accept that the first draft will be messy and imperfect. Reflect on a time when you struggled with perfectionism in your writing or another creative project. How did this struggle affect your process, and what did you learn from it? How might Lamott’s advice have helped you?
5. Write an essay exploring the role of revision in your own writing process. How do you approach the task of revising a “shitty first draft”? What strategies do you use to improve your work, and how do you know when a piece is “finished”?
6. Lamott’s essay is a reflection on the creative process, but its lessons can apply to other areas of life as well. Write an essay discussing how the concept of “shitty first drafts” might be applied to challenges outside of writing, such as personal growth, learning new skills, or pursuing a career.
7. Alexie describes how reading and writing were transformative in his life, giving him a sense of identity and power. Write an essay about a book, story, or piece of writing that had a similar impact on you. How did it shape your understanding of yourself and the world around you?
8. Discuss the role of education in shaping personal and cultural identity, using Alexie’s essay as a starting point. How does Alexie’s experience as a Native American influence his view of education? How does your own background influence your approach to learning?
9. Alexie writes about the expectations placed on him as a Native American student and how he resisted those expectations. Reflect on a time when you felt pressure to conform to certain expectations, whether from society, family, or peers. How did you navigate these pressures, and what did you learn about yourself in the process?
10. Compare the different types of pressures discussed in Zinsser’s “College Pressures” with the internal pressures Lamott describes in “Shitty First Drafts.” How do these pressures affect the pursuit of intellectual and creative goals? What strategies can be used to manage these pressures effectively?
11. All three essays discuss the process of overcoming obstacles—whether they be societal expectations, internal struggles, or external pressures. Write an essay that synthesizes these ideas and discusses how resilience plays a role in personal and academic success. Use examples from the essays and your own life.
12. Education and literacy are central themes in both Alexie’s and Zinsser’s essays, though they approach the topic from different perspectives. Write an essay exploring the role of education in empowerment and personal growth, drawing on both essays. How can students harness the power of education to achieve their goals and overcome challenges?