An Introduction

Before enrolling in this class I had a very basic understanding of critical theory. I had been taught in the past that literary theory is the term for a variety of scholarly approaches to reading texts and that theories can be used as different types of 'lenses' through which texts can be viewed, analyzed, and understood. After having read the preliminary assignments for the class, I have now realized that critical theory is a more general term for new theoretical developments and that it can be applied to a variety of fields. I have also realized that reality is something unfixed, vast, and infinitely complex and that critical theory calls for us to go beyond the familiar and immediate inferences, assumptions, and judgements that our minds naturally make. Theory and critical theory are a continual debate and process of trial and error which allow for the eventual growth of knowledge. Theory is simply the search to know and understand more, it is discovering the possibility of truth however nebulous that search may be.
I am learning that theory is something very hard to define, which is why I would like my blog to parallel my sentiments and also be a continual process of trial and error. As an English literature major I have some reservations about the creative writing process because of my training in analyzing and responding to texts. I have to admit my fear of free form public expression. I am much more comfortable writing, re-writing, editing, and then submitting a final product. This blog will be a great learning experience, forcing me to play with ideas and to explore, question, and critique through a trial and error process.