8/30 Periodical Search

On my search of the periodicals today, I discovered one particular work that provides insight into the moral implications of novel reading in the early nineteenth century.  Beware, dear readers, for this is not a light-hearted account of the novel in the early 1800’s; rather, it explores the role of the novel in relation to criminal behavior and moral depravity.

In “Effects of Novel Reading: From the London,” published by the Boston Recorder on April 14, 1818, the writer explores the connection between novel reading, check fraud, and a execution.  To recount, “On the 11th of December, 1817, John Verile was executed before Newgate, London, for forging a check for 400l, with an intent to defraud Messrs. Brenchley and Co.”  The reader would assume that the executed, Mr. Verile, received due punishment for his crime of fraud.  In an imaginative sense, the reader might go on to hypothesize about the reasons for this man’s criminal behavior, but in fact, that hypothesis is not necessary, as the article clearly explains the cause of Mr. Verile’s downfall: “At 15 he engaged with an attorney; when he began the fatal course of Novel reading, and the perusal of infidel writings.”  Fatal course – no pun intended, right?  All joking aside, the writer forms the connection between Mr. Verile’s crime, punishment, and the cause – novel reading.  Though we, as modern readers, may not be able to draw this “obvious” connection, there was a clear relationship between the cause, effect, and punishment in 1817, as the writer reveals the cause, novel reading, just four sentences into the essay.

This connection must have been common, for even Mr. Verile offered analysis on his criminal behavior before his execution: “The seeds of infidelity which had been sown [from novel reading], began now to make their appearance […] From a course of novel-reading, which I pursued three or four years ago, I had contracted principles of infidelity, which I never rejected till within these past few weeks.”  Upon his conviction and during his time of reflection, the convicted man reached the moral high ground and rejected his wicked ways, which were a direct result, of course, from the novel reading of his youth.  This article serves to forewarn readers of the perils that may result if youth engage in this unsavory activity and directly connects novel reading with acts punishable by death.  Reading, specifically novel reading, is a cause for concern and serious study in this example, and though he had to pay the physical cost of his crime, Mr. Verile was only venerated – publically, at least – by his acknowledgment and rejection of this genre.

Let us end with a closing section from the article: “Let them [the rising generation] beware of those infidel writing which seduce the mind and destroy the principles of moral obligations.”  You, dear reader, have been forewarned of the perils that reading – yes, novel reading – can do to your innocent and susceptible mind!

Introduction and Chapter One

Communication. Media. America. As I began to read Paul Starr’s The Creation of the Media, the relationship between these terms kept coming to mind.  Communication is synonymous with our current cultural framework, and as Starr states, “the global influence of the American media and the American model now puts an even heavier responsibility on the United States than in the past” (19).  Wow – that one sentence demands necessary attention in order to fully begin to interpret the role of communication and media in our culture.  Obviously, this is only one blog post, but I think it deserves at least a few reflective thoughts in order to prompt discussion and insight into an aspect of American society that most citizen take for granted on a daily basis.

To begin, one must look at the American model.  What does communication and media look like in “our” world? With Facebook, Twitter, email, and Skype, we are not at a lack for communication tools, and this is only a very abbreviated list of communication avenues.  At this point in American society, there are communication options on a minute-by-minute basis, and we can, theoretically, remain in contact with thousands of people a day; this is the norm for the upcoming generations, and with communication tools become ever more usable and available, this is bound to only increase with time.  Americans have the opportunity to communicate horizontally, and this in itself is a key aspect of the American model.  This model encourages interaction, and while this may seem to be an obvious “right” to many Americans, it is revolutionary when looking at the rights to horizontal communication as recent as the 1990’s in the Soviet Union (9).  How important it is to realize that Americans are living in an American model, to borrow from Starr, and that this model has not been universal accepted or understood in other parts of the world.

Moreover, in the American model, we taking advantage of this horizontal approach to communication on a daily – hourly – basis in our intake and reaction to news reports. There are numerous media outlets reporting – from their stance, of course – on a plethora of political issues, and we – in the most broad and general sense of the American population – typically have access to a variety of perspectives on a given issue in a matter of couple of seconds with a quick Google search.  To use a cliché, “we have the world at our fingertips,” quite literally.  And, this is not purely limited to the intake of information; rather, it is a reciprocal relationship, as Americans have the ability to interact with the source by writing a response – in agreement or disagreement – via the Internet; in essence, Americans have the unique ability to be receivers and participants in the communication framework of this society – a right, according to Starr, that would have been punishable at one time in England, France, and the Soviet Union if it involved the government or a governmental issue. Perhaps, it is also important to note again here that horizontal communication is still problematic in many countries and that the reciprocal interaction with the American model is not a globally accepted norm.

As Starr concludes in the last paragraph of his introduction, “the question is no longer whether a post-industrial, information society is coming; it has come;” it is the “American model” (19).  This is the norm in American culture, but it also begs the question that if the United States is credited with being a power player in the advent of the modern communication culture, what is the “global influence of American media” (19)?  What is the “responsibility,” to use Starr’s term, of the United States in reacting to and engaging with this issue in the global setting?  We can infer that America has a unique role in this arena.  Does the American model – in all communication avenues – play to the advantage of the American government as it attempts to exemplify democracy across the globe?  Perhaps that is the question now at hand.

Response to Assignment One

Where are you from?  How would you describe your hometown?

I am originally from Jacksboro, Texas, a small town an hour west of Fort Worth.  I grew up in a town where everyone knows everyone, primarily because we've all been there for generations and are related either by blood or marriage.  It was a wonderful way to grow up, despite our feelings as young adults!  I was a child of the town in the best possible way; I still hear, "You look just like a Fitzgerald,” quite often. (Fitzgerald was my maiden name, and I usually still go by it when I go home.  It is just easier.) 

Growing up, I spent more time outside than in.  I was use to getting up at 5:00 a.m. to exercise my horses before school, and mucking the barn was not a chore but just a regular Saturday activity.  We didn’t have allowances because we worked together as a family, and we really didn’t even ask for it.  I’m sure most kids now would think that is crazy!  If you ask me, it was the best childhood ever.

Describe yourself as a reader. 

I have evolved as a reader, from a lover of books in my childhood to a student of the written word.  In all honesty, I cannot say that I love reading the same way that I did before my M.A. program.  Now, I find myself analyzing constantly, even if the reading is not required literature.  I sometimes wish that I could just read for pure enjoyment again.  I still enjoy reading, but I cannot seem to disconnect my brain from analyzing the work. 

Describe yourself as a writer. 

I am also constantly evolving as a writer; however, I am still striving to reach a point where I am satisfied with my work.  Also, I write best late at night, and I have the habit of eating while I am writing. This is a very bad habit that I am attempting to break!

What are your goals for this semester?

I absolutely love primary research.  I can see how it probably relates directly to my upbringing and my need/desire for personal connection.  My primary goal is a goal of discovery.  I am interested in finding those hidden gems of everyday life.

Describe the worst class or the worst teacher you have ever had.

Well, let’s just say that teachers should shower at least a week before the first day of class (one would assume that this type of behavior would be learned in the process of achieving tenure), should probably not say that they are uncomfortable being around people, i.e. graduate students, and should most definitely not have a nervous breakdown during the middle of the semester.  And, that’s all I should say about that!

List three books that have deeply touched your life. 

Isn’t that like asking a parent to choose their favorite child?  I do not know if I can pick just three.  Let’s see, this summer I was into spiritual reading: Captivating, The Bible, anything by Beth Moore.  In the scholarly sense, Uncle Tom’s Children shook me to my very core, as did Iola Leroy and Love in the time of Cholera and Like Water for Chocolate and the list can go on and on.  Basically, I love every book until I read the next one that then becomes my new favorite.  I am so indecisive on this issue!

I should note that all of my books are currently in storage, and my favorites change on a rotating basis based on mood.  This has now prompted me to dig through my books once I get them back in my possession. (Literally, the book boxes totaled 500 lbs.  Many hours of book collection = very unhappy movers.)

List three things that you know about the US during the years 1770-1830.

1)   1789 – George Washington is elected President.

2)   1792 – Publication began with the Old Farmer’s Almanac.

3)   War of 1812

Tell me three things that I ought to know about you.

1)   I have two Shih Tzu fur babies, Miss Elizabeth and Bentley.  They are quite spoiled and rule our house.  If this is any indication of my parenting skills, we are in trouble.

2)   I have an eighty-nine year old pen pal, and we’ve written letters weekly since I graduated from high school.

3)   While my husband was in the Army, we moved five times in five years.  I do not recommend this to anyone!