Being thirteen is pretty rough, but that's especially true for Jason Taylor. His low social standing and embarrassing stammer make him incredibly self-conscious and uncomfortable in any interactions with other kids. But Jason also has a secret: he's a poet.
Poetry is an outlet for all of Jason's inner thoughts that he can't communicate with others. Jason's stammer makes it difficult for him to say what he means in front of other people because he's constantly scanning his sentences for trouble words and rewriting his speech to seem normal. Poetry is the only place where Jason can confidently say the things he can't in everyday life.
It's interesting to compare Jason with Stephen Dedalus from A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. They're both young men struggling to find their place in the world, and they're both talented poets, but their attitudes toward the rest of the world are completely different.
Stephen thinks that his artistic talents make him better than other people, so he doesn't care about fitting in or seeming "normal". Meanwhile, Jason is constantly preoccupied with how the other boys see him, and he'll do whatever it takes to remain a part of the group. Stephen identifies as an artist above all else, but Jason hasn't yet developed a clear identity. Because Jason doesn't know who he wants to be, he mimics the other boys in the hopes that they won't notice he's different.
Jason and Stephen offer two contrasting models for what it means to be a young artist. Jason hides his talent in a desperate effort to fit in while Stephen embraces his creativity but acts superior to everyone else. I think it's important for artists to have a healthy balance between the two perspectives: they should be proud of their craft while also accepting that poets are fundamentally the same as everyone else. I hope that Jason will develop a stronger artistic identity as he grows older, and I hope he'll keep his endearing character too.
Poetry is an outlet for all of Jason's inner thoughts that he can't communicate with others. Jason's stammer makes it difficult for him to say what he means in front of other people because he's constantly scanning his sentences for trouble words and rewriting his speech to seem normal. Poetry is the only place where Jason can confidently say the things he can't in everyday life.
It's interesting to compare Jason with Stephen Dedalus from A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. They're both young men struggling to find their place in the world, and they're both talented poets, but their attitudes toward the rest of the world are completely different.
Stephen thinks that his artistic talents make him better than other people, so he doesn't care about fitting in or seeming "normal". Meanwhile, Jason is constantly preoccupied with how the other boys see him, and he'll do whatever it takes to remain a part of the group. Stephen identifies as an artist above all else, but Jason hasn't yet developed a clear identity. Because Jason doesn't know who he wants to be, he mimics the other boys in the hopes that they won't notice he's different.
Jason and Stephen offer two contrasting models for what it means to be a young artist. Jason hides his talent in a desperate effort to fit in while Stephen embraces his creativity but acts superior to everyone else. I think it's important for artists to have a healthy balance between the two perspectives: they should be proud of their craft while also accepting that poets are fundamentally the same as everyone else. I hope that Jason will develop a stronger artistic identity as he grows older, and I hope he'll keep his endearing character too.
This is a really interesting comparison. I wonder though if Stephen outwardly acted superior to the people around him though, but regardless I think that this shows how many different modes of being and coming-of-age there are.
ReplyDeleteI really like this comparison. It's interesting also how the time period and the social dynamics of their lives. Stephen has always kind of been an outcast and so his poetry is his way of making him feel better about his standing, while Jason is already kind of in the social circle he wants to be in, and his poetry would be a one-way ticket to kicking him out of it, which is why he's embarrassed by it.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't even thought of comparing the two. They are so different in the way that they look at themselves and other people that it is hard to see something that they have in common, but that is one thing. I think this is one of those instances where you should be confident, but not full of yourself.
ReplyDeleteOo I like this post! And you come to a conclusion that I often find myself coming to: balance is better (and healthier) than extreme. I find it interesting that, in both Jason and Stephen's cases, their love for poetry sets them apart. I see a similar dynamic at Uni. I feel like STEM is the "assumed," until proved otherwise. I've been referred to as the "Writing Center girl" before, which I think is really funny, because emphasis isn't placed on kids involved in STEM clubs or extracurriculars.
ReplyDeleteI really like your insight! Yeah, as an artist I get told that artists are all crazy, weird outcasts, when quite often, an artist is someone who looks and acts just like you. I think it's really interesting how the time period ties into these two boys' stories - what about late 19th century society made it more acceptable for Stephen to delve into a poetic field? There are certainly other factors, too. I love how you phrased all this.
ReplyDeleteGreat comparison. Jason and Stephen do have two very different personalities and shortcomings. I think Jason has the valuable skill of wanting to be with people and appreciate the things about them. Stephen's separation from others whom he considers "normal" might make him feel lonely at some point and have difficulty connecting with others which might affect his writing. Both are very skilled though.
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