|
Responses (sorted by date)
rodhugen: Mr. Kelly (8/30/06)
|
|
I have one big pet peeve as a language arts teacher. And it's not about spelling or punctuation!
Kids, when asked to tell their definition of fiction say either, "Things that aren't true," but also--even worse-- "It's fake."
When I hear this f-word, I then have a talk with them about how "fake" describes things like fake diamonds, fake friends...usually, a cheap, poor substitute for the real thing. Fake is a negative word. What can I do to stop those elementary school teachers from telling them fiction is "fake"? I know it's shorthand for "something that's not factual" but that's sorta like defining Santa Claus as the fat, red, fake guy ;-)
As for "things that aren't true"...Not to get too postmodern about what is true vs. what isn't, but I do believe there is a heckuva lot of truth represented in fiction. Story is powerful. Jesus taught through fiction (parables that were representative of real life, spiritual situations).
Obviously realistic fiction has a lot to offer in terms of understanding truth. But fantasy does, too. Emily Mc and I had the longest talk once about the truths about friendship and loyalty portrayed in "Lord of the Rings." That novel shows more about what makes real friendship, than any non-fiction sociology or psychology tome ever could.
What truth has fiction spoken to you? |