Language and Literature as "Equipment for Living"

Embrace the rhetorical value of life—that’s what I got out of Tilly Warnock’s piece. She argues that reading, writing, language and all aspects of life coincide once we put meaning to it all. Once we looks at our life experiences in a broader scope, we’ll pick out moments with substance that ultimately lead to a better understanding of ourselves as flexible beings. Warnock writes, “With this critical eye and attitude toward action, we understand that our perceptions and actions are changeable, as our words are revisable.” (pp. 47) 

I can relate to a lot of points Warnock makes in terms of analyzing one's life because I actually did it. I took an autobiography class where I had to review my life and pick a “theme” to write about for 40+ pages. Yikes. It was daunting at first, but once I delved into my topic, my mind was blown. 

Wow, my life is like a movie! 

Just like Warnok puts is, “By identifying and untangling the threads and by retelling the stories, I can create new patterns and in part rewrite my life.” (pp.45) I could have written 10 different memoirs, all of different themes.  

Writing gives you a reason/motivation to find meaning in your life. The “so what?” Why am I alive? What’s significant in my life? What’s worth reading about? In doing so, writing will helps you walk down certain paths in your life that you never realized would have significance. An excerpt on page 53 says, “Remind me to tell the story I cannot make my life tell.” [I love this concept, and would love to do some more exploring on it.]

I like the excerpt from Burke where he refers to writing and life as “making a man the student of himself.” (48) As students, we’re always encouraged to think outside the box, make observations, and think critically, but we really never have the opportunity to think in such a way for our own life. 

While I enjoyed Warnok’s overall argument of the piece, I found it’s structure and flow a tad jarring, especially in part 2. She abruptly shifts from making claims to talking about her childhood. 

I think what she’s trying to do here is prove her point of “equipment for living” by constantly referring to her own life (and in turn, reminding the reader of this point). She often brings up stories of her mother and father and how they’ve shape their own lives while simultaneously shaping her’s (e.g. her mother’s sewing and teaching). 

I’m really intrigued by Warnok’s idea of “revising” one’s life and think it would be a good topic to discuss in class. Isn’t it everyone’s goal to revise their life, whether they’re writing about it or not? And why the word revise and not alternate or adapt? We're constantly trying to change something about ourselves—to be healthier, prettier, stronger etc…