[stylist] More things to ponder

[Jacobson, Shawn D]

What you wrote reminds me of a recent conversation in one of our chapter meetings.

We were discussing people grabbing the end of our canes and leading us with them.  I kind of thought this was like being led on a leash like a dog.  However, one chapter member from Africa (forget which country right now) said that this was done to keep blind people out of thorn bushes.  I had never thought of that.

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jacqueline Williams
Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2012 5:30 PM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [stylist] More things to ponder

Chris,
I have read all of the books you refer to except "Middlesex." I agree with you completely about Kingsolvers, "The Poisonwood Bible," except that its source was that she grew up in the Congo as a minister's daughter. In that respect she had to have had some special insights.
My experience was in being in Uganda for five years, and knowing of the river blindness, and the worms that got into the knees from the river water.
The author completely captured the missionaries common ignorance, and dogmatic religious beliefs no mater what wisdom the tribal cultures stood ready to teach them. Like, no baptism in the river.
I say this even though I had a missionary uncle in Liberia for years.
Perhaps a personal story will demonstrate. I had a running bet with my houseboy that I would eat termites, if he would eat a cucumber. Neither of us ever did. The reason, his culture taught him rightly, that anything grown in soil that was also used for human body waste, or had been for two years, would make them sick. For me, I simply could not get past the thought and texture. For them, it was an excellent source of protein. There was logic, reason, and truth in most of there customs, except, their concept of "instant justice" was extremely difficult to comprehend and appreciate. 
But like you, the sociopath is a fascinating track to study, and even more so now, with our school tragedies happening. "No Conscience seems unbelievable, until you see it in action time after time.
I do so like the way your mind works, and the things you read, not to mention that you are an excellent editor.
Jacqui 

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Chris Kuell
Sent: Wednesday, December 12, 2012 1:20 PM
To: Writer's Division Mailing List
Subject: Re: [stylist] More things to ponder

Jackie,

I enjoyed your poem--thanks for sharing. I also share your fascination with sociopaths, although I don't believe I've ever met one in person. However, I

once outlined a novel about a sociopathic politician, but it's too scary for

me to write. A great resource is: Without Conscience- The Disturbing World of the Psychopaths Among Us by Robert D. Hare (1999). The thing I found most

disturbing is that there's no known treatment except to lock them up.

Having said all that, we are writers, which mean we can tap into our imaginations. Stephen King crafted a terribly disturbing politician, and a hero who could see the future when he touched objects in 'The Dead Zone'. 
'Lolita' by Vladimir Nabokov is one of the best written books I've ever read. It's about a pedophile, and there's not a single swear or curse word in the entire book. And Nabokov wasn't a pedophile that I know of. 'Silence of the Lambs' by Thomas Harris portrayed one of the most realistic sociopathic killers (Hannibal Lechter) in all of modern literature. 
'Middlesex' by Jeffrey Eugenides portrays a hermaphrodite so well I felt certain the writer must be one, but it turns out he's just a great writer. 
One of my favorite novels, 'The Poisonwood Bible' by Barbara Kingsolver, is about a crazy minister sent to the Congo to convert souls, his wife, and four daughters. All the characters are written exquisitely, yet are products

of Kingsolver's imagination. I could go on, but won't.  I hope you see my point.

chris


 


_______________________________________________
Writers Division web site
http://www.writers-division.net/
stylist mailing list
stylist at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
stylist:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/jackieleepoet%40cox.net


_______________________________________________
Writers Division web site
http://www.writers-division.net/
stylist mailing list
stylist at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for stylist:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/shawn.d.jacobson%40hud.gov