John Updike dies, aged 76

American author, poet, literary and art critic John Updike died today at 76. The Pulitzer Prize-Winning author, wrote the classic Rabbit Series, which will be read and analyzed as part of this project.

We first meet Harry 'Rabbit' Angstrom in Rabbit, Run, as a boorish, unhappy former basketball jock who runs from (and to) his pregnant wife. The novels that follow cover 30 years and make up the great study of American manhood.

To learn more and hear the NPR remembrance click here.

Catherine Earnshaw: Lovelorn Victim or Manipulative Pre-Madonna

I am 13 chapters into Wuthering Heights. For those in need of refreshing, this is the part of the novel in which Catherine's life is beginning to derail (well at least that is her version of the story). Always the apt manipulator we find Catherine throwing the mother of all hissyfits. Under a self-imposed lock down and fast, she states, "If I were only sure it would kill him,' she interrupted, 'I'd kill myself directly! These three awful nights I've never closed my lids - and oh, I've been tormented! I've been haunted, Nelly! But I begin to fancy you don't like me. How strange! I thought, though everybody hated and despised each other, they could not avoid loving me. And they have all turned to enemies in a few hours: they have, I'm positive; the people here." Her selfishness boggles the mind.

It is very hard for the modern woman to sympathize with Catherine. If ever there were a legitimate polemic against the institute of marriage, it might be that people do it for the wrong reasons --for their own selfish desires. Catherine never acknowledges that she could be hurting her husband; it is all about her needs, wants, and desires.

The intricacies of marital bliss aside, the problem with Catherine is that she manipulative and spoiled. Any redemptive sympathy her character leverages might be seen in her romance with Heathcliff. However, Wuthering Heights is not a love story for the ages as it is often portrayed to be, thus far. Perhaps because I cannot see the appeal of the brooding impertinent Heathcliff, over her well meaning husband- Edgar. I am not suggesting that Heathcliff did not experience terrible abuse at the hands of Hindley -- enough to make anyone a little grouchy. Its just that I can symphonies with Hindley's feelings of rejection, after being usurp from his "rightful" place, as favorite son.

I enjoy Catherine's wild child frivolity. Yet like our new President quoted in his inaugural, there comes a time "to put away childish things ". As a married woman, it was time for Catherine to put away her childhood relationship with Heathcliff and grow-up. No fits of fancy, tantrums or complaining would change the outcome of her choices. Social climbing will give you money, but not necessarily happiness. However, we must applaud Brontë for developing a strong willed woman willing to go the distance for love, even if it is at the cost of all those around her.

Wuthering Heights on Masterpiece Theatre

After last year's optimistic journey into the works of Jane Austen, Masterpiece Classic has taken a darker turn with its last two films. Tess of the d'Urbervilles and Wuthering Heights reflect the fear and anxiety that has been prevailing our evening news broadcast. The adaption is at best inspired by Emily Brontë novel, taking liberties with the story arc to get us through the basic narrative in about 4 hours. I decided to begin my literary project with Wuthering Heights, in part because I knew this was coming to air. Masterpiece Classic usually does not miss and this adaption is watchable -- though highly edited.

However, the intensity of the novel is done an injustice in film form. The appeal of Wuthering Heights is that is a Victorian novel that breaks Victorian convictions. Reading Austen, the characters are for the most part civil, appropriate, and aware of their social caste and the limitations it brings. While ambition is a central theme for both authors, Brontë is refreshing because she explores the dark passions that Austen only alludes to. Violence, desire, bitterness, and unrequited love are all in play. And this is a good thing.

A New Education

Book critic Maureen Corrigan recently reviewed Susan Sontag's private journals-Reborn: Journals and Notebooks, 1947-1963. The journals detail Sontag's intense intellectual curiosity, voracious appetite for reading, and earnest desire to know and understand the world. Sontag's thirst, if not single-minded desire to obtain knowledge is rare and refreshing -- and without a doubt a model to aspire to. People who are well-learned are either well read or well traveled. Being that I do not currently have the financial means to be the latter, I am dedicating 2009 to intentionally pursuing the prior. I decided to start with the classics. I make know apologies for not being enraptured with Of Mice and Men and enthralled by Grindel in high school. However, as a person seeking to understand the world around them it is important to revisit these classic texts, with the perspective and intellectual agility that comes with adulthood. my More importantly, I believe this project will serve me well in beating husband in Jeopardy and solving the Washington Post Sunday Crossword.

Our society has never been interested in the promotion of its public intellectuals. It often seems, more devoted to promoting the spectacle that is American Idol and highlighting the antics of Brittany Spears. However, with the election of our new highly cerebral president--smart is the new sexy. Moreover, civility, good writing, and aptness of speech are also en vogue. I am challenged with this new prevailing spirit of personal responsibility to really pursue knowledge. This blog will be all about my pursuit for a "new education"-- a devotion to being a reader, a thinker, and a writer. My public library will serve as my ivory tower for now.

The first book in this project will be Wuthering Heights: "One of the masterpieces of English romanticism, this is a novel of Heathcliff and Catherine, love and revenge."