A Criticism of Literary Criticism

While in college, I took an obligatory literature class. I’m sure the school believed that this would make me a better person. Well, actually, it probably did. I read some good stuff and then some other stuff and then I had to think about it. So far, so good.

However, you can’t escape a literature class without being exposed to the insanity of ‘literary criticism.’ At first, I tried to take it seriously. I tried to imitate my mentors and masters. But, the more I tried, the more I cried. No, no, no. This was not an occupation for reasonable people with something useful to occupy their time.

I threw a hissy-fit. I wrote and submitted the following:

Help Children Learn to 'Pay it Forward.'

"It was a pleasure to help Dianna, my wife, prepare her new children's picture book for publication. 'Saturdays at the Bijou' is autobiographical; it describes yet another episode in her surprising and delightful life. It encourages children to 'pay it forward' and create stories in their own lives that they will want to tell."

The Path to “Constructive Virtues”

My first published essays were as installments in my newspaper column “@ChumForThought,” published in the Dayton Review. “Chum” is the word for chopped fish waste that is thrown overboard to attract other fish – especially sharks. I believe that comparing ideas can be a force for good that attracts us to each other. Strangers often become friends as they talk and work together, uniting to solve mutual problems.

The column was intended for my neighbors in a small, rural, Iowa town. I hoped to encourage conservatives to think about their ideas and liberals to come out of the closet. This book, Constructive Virtues, extends my collected essays – largely on similar, and sometimes contentious, themes.

Many people prefer to avoid controversy as they would avoid swimming with sharks. You sometimes hear

Introduction to "Hubris on Roller Skates" by David Satterlee

Introduction

I usually have some idea of how something is going to come out when I start a story. But, it’s a real rush to go catch up with a character or situation that decides to run loose for a while. This collection should keep you off-balance, entertained and wondering what you’ll find next.

I have been told, by a long-time author, that my writing is “humorous, bold, and adventurous all at once … channeled through a facility for language and the music of words.” That was very kind. Thank you.

You should know that a few of these stories may not be for everyone. I occasionally take the liberty of using mild profanity, describing intimate situations, or introducing politically incorrect ideas. While I intend to be colorful and interesting, I do not intend to shock, offend, or arouse. I don’t believe that any of these stories are outside common community standards, but I thought that it should be mentioned up-front.

You will find some science fiction, a nice little poem about kittens, several pieces on gender relations and, especially, some explorations of the emotions and behavior of women of all ages. A lot of the stories end with a twist – deliberately lulling you into a mood before dropping you on your head. And, I have indulged a special fascination with hubris – acts of over-confidence that often lead to major fails.

Some characters are iconic. Don’t assume that Fergus Johnson is always the same guy trying to figure out the same woman, or that Bobby is always the same bad boy; he comes to too many unfortunate ends.

DavidS

Poem: The Art of Seeing

Information and comments on the story:

The Art of Seeing

Life Will Get You in the End:
Short Stories by David Satterlee

from the book: Life Will Get You in the End:
Short stories by David Satterlee

Find out more, including where to buy books and ebooks

Read or download this story as a PDF file at: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B4eNv8KtePyKRWIyQXBmZXZ5UlE/edit?usp=sharing

A young poet reflects of the fact that poetry doesn't always come right out and say what the poet is saying. News flash: You gotta read between the lines.

The Art of Seeing

(compare 1 Corinthians 7:7)

Poetry, as you may know,

Is strange and hard to write.

Making words fit as they should

Is often no delight.

And not just words, but rhythm too

Must be made to harmonize.

“It comes with practice, soon enough”

Is truthful, though it lies.

An equal art in verse is found

In those who read and see

That what is written is not all

The author meant to be.

For as they see beyond the words,

They make the verse complete,

And feed, then, not on words, but thoughts

And rest back. Full. Replete.

                                      October 23, 1969

 

Story: Oceans of Love

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Oceans of Love

from the book: Life Will Get You in the End:
Short stories by David Satterlee

Find out more, including where to buy books and ebooks

Read or download this story as a PDF file at: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B4eNv8KtePyKRE9RcHRBdzBRejg/edit?usp=sharing

Life Will Get You in the End:
Short Stories by David Satterlee

Reader's theater for two male voices. A raw and hyper-verbal talk show host just won't let a serious gender-relations author explain his book.

Oceans of Love

With apologies to “Saturday Night Live,” David Deida author of “The Way of the Superior Man,” and John Gray, author of “Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus.”
Also with compliments to the insights of psychologists Carol Gilligan and Terrence Real.

Scene – two men are seated across from each other at a desk. Both are in business casual attire.

Fred Baxter (interviewer)

(in announcer voice)

Okay, we’re back. For those of you just joining us, you’re listening to conservative shock-talk radio K.R.A.P. – Krap in the morning. This is your host Fred Baxter and you’re listening to Baxter’s Book Bilge.

Our guest in the studio today is Richard Johnson, author of the new book, “Women are Like Oceans and Men are Like Ships.” Richard, welcome to the show.

Richard, you’re a tall man, about 6 foot 3; may I just call you big Dick?

Richard Johnson (Author)

No.

Fred Baxter (interviewer)

Big Johnson?

Richard Johnson (Author)

No.

Fred Baxter (interviewer)

Okaaay then.

Richard, why don’t we move right on to having you tell us a bit about your book.

Is this a self-help book? Are there, you know, pictures?

Richard Johnson (Author)

No.

Fred Baxter (interviewer)

(sighing)

Well, all right, how about you just jump right in there and get this puppy moving.