July 12, 2005

Brilliant White

E.B White. He is most famous for making an arachnid appealing to perpetual generations of children. And mothers. I personally remember The Elements of Style best. Well, at least I think I do. Everytime I find a grammatical error, or feel a piece of writing lacking in layered, delectable diction, I hang my head a bit, feeling the shame of forgetfulness, or lack of being the meticulous writer.

E. B. White, like his literary antithesis, Roald Dahl, had the ability to speak the language of the knee-high that many lost among the crib sheets, had weaned away with the bottle, and some had drowned in the sweaty, hormoned-halls of junior high.

He gently spread the emotions of a young mind before the reader who then couldn't help but find themselves reaching out, pulling the soothing softness of it up to rub against their cheek, comforted by either finally having someone able to articulate, or in the discovery of things, of thoughts long forgotten.

Thanks to the Llamas for the reminder.

Posted by Rae at July 12, 2005 01:23 PM
Comments

Ah, E.B. White...when I was seven I was given a three volume book set of Charlotte's Web, Stuart Little and the one about the Swan. I read and re-read those books all summer until I had them almost memorized. I would sit by the river near our cabin for hours, just getting lost in the book pages.

Your blog always brings back such good childhood memories when it comes to literature. Thank you!!

Posted by: Jenn at July 12, 2005 06:45 PM

Awwww, Jenn. :D Thank you. That is one of the best compliments.

Posted by: Rae at July 12, 2005 06:53 PM

I find it very strange I never read Stuart Little but I loved Charlotte's web...and I loved introducing it to my daughters too. That really was a privilege and watching them curl up with it, just as I used to. The familiar and dog eared pages reassured me just as any milk and biscuits before bed.

He did a great deal for spiders too; I have never been afraid of them since then but, rather, decided they had just had a bad press.


Minerva

Posted by: Minerva at July 13, 2005 01:07 PM

Once I started reading it, Strunk & White's Elements of Style rescued me from a brutal college comp/lit prof. Thanks for adding your own reminder.

Posted by: Altar Girl at July 14, 2005 05:58 PM

Minerva- thanks for visiting and commenting :D I enjoyed perusing your site and love the quote.

Posted by: Rae at July 15, 2005 04:14 PM

I enjoyed Elements not only for what I learned but it really has great comedic value. (Maybe the funny bits weren't meant to be funny but I sure got a kick out of them.)

Posted by: King of Fools at July 20, 2005 07:49 AM

There was humor? I think I was so terrified of my teacher I must have missed it. Hmmm, perhaps I should go read it again.

Posted by: Rae at July 21, 2005 12:00 AM
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