Pynchon and Quantum Mechanics?
Bonnie Surfus (ENG)
surfus at chuma.cas.usf.edu
Mon Feb 20 09:34:21 CST 1995
Tim,
I'd be willing to bet that very few of us could sit down, right now, and
tell you about "subjunctive future imperfect". . . In Comp/Rhet, there
was a lovely bit of work during the formation of the field, by some
referred to as the "expressivists." They maintained that grammar is
acquired through practive and so let them write--then, provide your
comments. This means you can sit in your office with your grammar guides
and feel very intelligent as you inform your students of their improper
use of modification (i.e., the dreaded dangling modifier.) Somehow, I
had an affinity for the field as I found it was something I could "do."
I mock this pedagogical position, but I also believe in it. Maybe
calculus would be easier for me now than it was 14 years ago, given my
understanding of how grammar is actually acquired,or how it seems to be .
. .
You, like me, tend to be self-deprecating and close out your posts
quickly. But you are probably right about the "science lurkers" and I
know that I, if not many others appreciate your comments. I don't want
to be throwing theory around without some validation or correction.
so. . . thanks.
Bonnie
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