Cate Does the Classics

Did you hear about the new "Garden of Eden"? A little beryl patch of forest in mountainous Indonesia that was recently stumbled upon by scientists, where it is believed that no humans have ever ventured before? New species of birds, of rhododendrons, of trees and frogs? Animals that approach, with the same confidence as humans. I can imagine the color, the density, and the crispness of the foliage. The Snap as branches and leaves are stepped upon; the flutter or the buzz of wings, depending upon the size of their owner. I can imagine the excitement of the researchers, realizing their discovery, pulling out tweezers and jars and magnifying glasses. What to touch? What to take? What soundtrack was playing inside their heads? Who gets dibs on naming the new findings; did they call "shotgun?"

Did the scientists feel the sticky invisibility of spider webs? Did they shudder when they saw interstates of insects commuting on fern leaves? Were their eyes bright and dancing as they stood, watching the animals move closer, or did they cry, thinking of all of the creatures that inhabit the rest of the world, the ones who eye us warily and bolt away, like unwelcome visitors on their own planet, like a flu bug, like something incapable of feeling, something that doesn't count.

That such a place exists. Or, as the pessimist in me exudes a deep sigh, existed.

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The Cubicle Reverend shared an interesting post the other day, discussing 5 characters from books with whom he felt a connection.

My list would include:
1. Ann Grenville from The Two Mrs. Grenvilles by Dominick Dunne--she was that mixture of arrogance and insecurity that I think many of us possess--at least, I possess. She relinquished all values to become part of a group that didn't want her. She convinced herself that she was an integral part of the Club, and was devastated when she realized the truth. Complex, mean person. I always think of her as cockroach, scrambling to feed herself when everyone else wants to stomp on her.

2. Scout from To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee--who wouldn't feel a kinship with Scout? She is wise beyond her years, inquisitive, and most importantly, a reader. She shouts defiantly, cries with indignation, and loves with reckless, unanalyzed frenzy. She is the part of me of whom I am most proud, the person I would like to draw on my tombstone (stick figure, holding a book).

3. Fiona Range from Fiona Range by Mary McGarry Morris--this chick is a misfit. She is socially inept. She tries too hard and she gets wounded too easily. She is misunderstood and complex and driven. She is the type of woman you cringe over. I often cringe over myself.

4. Harriet from Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh--Thanks, Michelle, for comparing me to Harriet a couple of months ago. LOVE it! Have shoved that comment into my pocket and carried it around for weeks now. A nosey, nosey girl who is constantly observing and writing. Spends much more time examining others than they spend examining her. Gets caught and pouts. Another arrogant, socially inept person, but sort of delightful and charming.

5. Olivia from Olivia by Ian Falconer--Maybe it's more that I WANT to be Olivia. I'm a bit bossy and aggressive. A girl on my bus once described me as "rowdy." I was hurt at the time, but now take it as a compliment. I'd like to be responsible for shaking things up a bit.

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Finally, the classics that I plan to read during the next month or two. I suppose I should give myself a deadline. I suppose I should've read these books years ago. I was one of those people who rebelled during assigned readings in schools--I read on my flippin' own time; I needed no guidance! I found it pointless to spend hours discussing what the author might have meant by a passage. I resented trying to figure out what "grecian urns" stood for. During lectures, I completed a signifcant portion of a romance novel about vampires at a nightclub in the margins of my Accelerated English notebook.

Ahem.

Now, it's time for the "Cate Goes Back to High School and Does the Classics" Reading Program (like Debbie Does Dallas?). Reading for a different perspective, reading for an innovative or antiquated use of language, reading for pleasure. And I make no promises to myself: if I get bored, I'm scrapping the book. Life is too short to read something that is unappealing. But I'm also gettting that just because it's a classic, that doesn't mean that it will be stuffy and dry.

I should note that I have been absolutely inspired by Busy in all of this. Although I am a reader, I've never made a list of books I've read or want to read. I constantly check Busy's site to read her lists and reviews of books; she is an astute mind and a driven, gifted writer. One of these days, I'll be scribbling the name of her book on my TBR list!

"Cate Goes Back to High School and Does the Classics" Reading Program:

1. Les Liaisons Dangereuses by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos (translated version, of course)
2. The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
3. Vanity Fair by William Thackeray
4. A Room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf
5. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov (heard much about this; the idea of an intellectual who takes himself too seriously appeals to me)
6. Ann Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

You may have noticed that most of these have been made into movies. That could be why I'm choosing them, although I've only seen one of the films, Dangerous Liasions, which I loved. I think it's the idea that several of them tackle classism: my toes curl over that "poor, rich person" stuff where the individual is constricted by the beliefs of society.

And maybe, after reading A Room of One's Own, I will be able finally separate the connection I have created in my mind between Elizabeth Taylor and Virginia Woolf.

I mean, really.