Steimer | Third Week Blog Post | 9/11 | Understanding 'Understanding'

In the third class we touched on Helen Keller’s story as an example of the importance of language, then discussed Tolkien's Mythopoeia and his interaction with Lewis’s idea that “myths were lies breathed through silver”. 


I see where Lewis’s criticism comes from.  I myself find it difficult to believe that Myths can play such a major role in one's fundamental understanding of the world. 


Then we discussed a bit of Barfield’s Poetic Diction by which myth can be considered ‘formative’. Further, we discussed criticisms of this idea from Muller who stated that “myth is the disease of language”. We are to cast this notion aside as we come to understand that ‘language corrupts into myth’ is technically false- ‘Modern Language is the disease of myth’.


I don't quite understand the importance of this distinction. 


Language spreads from myths, and takes on new meaning. ‘Myth’ words can be traced back to hunter-gatherers. Myth can carry distinct definitions of words, from this point of view, narrative precedes logic. With this understanding in mind we are able to finally understand the main point, “Words allow us to go into secondary worlds an thus reflect on the primary”


This is surely the main point of this class. That we must understand Myths as more than surface level stories, ‘as vehicles of Truth’


“As you read you understand yourself.” We see ourselves in these stories and undergo catharsis, or a purge, wherein we see ourselves, reflect, and allow for purification in some small part.


In the last part of class we brought it back to Helen Keller, with our new understanding. She doesn't know the language, gets mad, then breaks her doll. She is unable to grasp the concept of the word ‘doll’ and the doll itself. (then a small aside to discuss symbols vs signs and words vs letters) As Helen is unable to use words she can only experience through touch, what occurred to her, like an animal. She has emotions- feelings, but no thoughts. As she ties letters through words and words to experiences, she feels a ‘misty’ consciousness, and the mystery of language is revealed to her! 


What a great symbolic story, perfect for explaining the importance of words, meaning, and true understanding.


She gained insight and felt sorrow/repentance for breaking the Doll. She feels profound and complex emotions, and for the first time, wants a new day. She is demonstrating a fundamental appreciation for words and thought and communication. 


‘Language is the storehouse of the imagination.’

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