Jeslyn Lin, Period 6, 12/12/22

 Jeslyn Lin, Period 6, 12/12/22

Modern Mythology 2023

Literacy & Learning

The piece of literature that caught my attention the most was the poem, Pride, by Dahlia Ravikovitch. When I first began reading poetry in the second or third grade, it frustrated me. I actually really hated poetry, but for the past year or so, I’ve begun to really appreciate it. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the poem, deciphering what it meant, creating my own interpretation, and hearing what my classmates thought of it.

While this poem is connected with Oeidepus Rex, I personally connected it with my own life. My interpretation of this poem is very simple: It’s okay to break down. I know that literature, in general, is extremely ambiguous and could have various meanings, but this is just my interpretation. I think that the poem was comparing the rock and the way it falls apart gradually to humans and their ability to control their emotions. I can think of many moments in my life where everything was going downhill, but I kept everything inside. It was like trying to hold a door closed against a tsunami. Soon enough, the door will start chipping and cracking because of the pressure of the waves before it bursts open and the water floods in. The poem demonstrates how flimsy our control over our emotions are. It’s conveying that there’s no need to bottle up emotions, that it’s okay to let the tears flow. 

One personal experience I can provide is my cultural background. Like a lot of other Asian households, emotional suppression was rampant. I can recall several moments where I was reprimanded simply for crying. From a young age, these experiences and the ideology where expressing emotions were weak or unneeded created an unhealthy relationship between myself and my emotions. I started suppressing my emotions to an extreme which sometimes led to self-hatred and depression. It took me a long time before I realized that it was okay for me to cry. That it was okay for me to be sensitive. That it was okay for me to break down every now and then. The realization that being emotional was normal hit me. 

I think that one interesting perspective that was provided during class is how old rocks were. It was brought up how rocks last a long time and how they have always been around. I connected this thought with how emotions have always been present with us, from when we were born to when we pass. To me, emotions/emotional responses have always been and always will be around, just like rocks. The conversation we had in class also made me understand that all of us in class had at one point been just like that tiny rock - someone holding too much on their plate until it tipped and shattered on the ground. 

I can apply this learning to my other classes and the world around me in a few ways. One specific example I can think of that could apply to other students is that - school, grades, and academics in general - can cause emotional responses. My friends, classmates, and even myself have cried over a grade, broken down due to a debate, and been distressed due to a class. I feel as if we’re often told to have a balance between academics, fun, family, physical health, and etc, but lack the support and understanding of those who are supposed to guide us. There is still this saying, “Back in my day, we didn’t cry over school” or “I managed to take care of the house, go to school, take care of my siblings, and work at your age.” I have heard this phrase multiple times throughout my life, from my family members and teachers alike. There is this lack of understanding of the different values, especially placed on mental and emotional health and awareness. But in the modern world and in most of my classes, mental and emotional health are now more acknowledged. There is still a long way to go, but within my friend groups, I will always emphasize the importance of their emotional health and encourage my friends to freely express themselves.