At the beginning of Module 1 I wrote my initial thoughts on, “What is text?”. I naively wrote that text is the representational recording of language and influences cultures. Of course this view is influenced by my background as a teacher and someone who uses text everyday.
I was intrigued by the exercise of looking up the terms text and technology in the Oxford English Dictionary Online. I had no idea the etymology of the two words were so closely related and that they were root words for so many other words. I had never taken the time to explore these meaning and this exercise expanded my original narrow view of text. I had no idea!
The meaning of the word text is so complex that I am glad that I have a whole term to wrap my head around its meaning, develop further insight through our readings and synthesize my learning.
I chose to include this poem Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll as a representation of text. The reason I chose this poem is to represent where I am in my learning. Although I am a little disoriented, I am sure it will all make sense.
Jabberwocky
‘Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wave;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.
“Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!
“
He took his vorpal sword in hand:
Long time the manxome foe he sought–
So rested he by the Tumtum tree,
And stood awhile in thought.
And as in uffish thought he stood,
The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,
Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,
And burbled as it came!
One, two! One, two! and through and through
The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
He went galumphing back.
“And hast thou slain the Jabberwock?
Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!
“
He chortled in his joy.
‘Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.
Love the poem!
It evokes imagery…but the real essence of this poem is release in its oral representation. The intonation, the facial expressions, the actions that accompany this poem when presenting is what reveals its meaning [ especially to children].