I am greatly looking forward to discussing my selection of electronic literature with you all soon. Linked are my materials for my presentation, including my response paper and powerpoint slides. I hope you all find this poem-as-scholarship as moving as I do. See you all on Monday on Zoom.
Response Paper: https://kean0-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/camargav_kean_edu/ET1IyIkUKJtEhxN7Filb_wUBqHYL4ftKowXiRptWHsFlkA?e=isJmCS
I almost chose this piece of electronic literature for my selection, but at the last second changed my mind. I referred this piece to Emily, and I am happy she decided to go with it. Much like my own selection, The Vine & The Fish is told through comic-like narrative with a limited color palette. Though in this case, I felt it was a bit of a drawback, as there were some moments in which the color of the text against the coloring of the images was difficult to look at. What I really enjoy about this piece is that, very much like mine, its informative nature. The reader is leaving with newfound knowledge they otherwise may not have been aware of without interaction with this piece. Yes, we have more than likely heard of invasive species in one context or another, but the way in which the author connects it to a sociological aspect of society is unique.
By taking something biological and connecting it with the personal experience, the author breaks down some kind of wall concerning autonomy. The idea of being invasive, whether regarding biological species or in the way the author discusses it, meaning by way of racism, is a manmade occurrence. Meaning, animals, most likely, are not thinking in a way that stretches farther than survival instincts. Yes, there must be some inherent othering within the mind of animals, as that is what the distinguishes predators from prey. Though, this is somewhat akin to racism to some degree, as one group may view another group as a predator or prey. In the human world, these are the groups of the oppressed and the oppressors. So, despite having a difference in the level of autonomy, there are certain experiences that both animals and humans (we are animals!) experience in some form.
With this in mind, I was left wanting more of a connection with the teenage girl who moves. She seems to be the catalyst of the whole story, but fades away in the middle, until the end of the piece in which she, the assumed speaker, states she does not want her children to feel like the vine or the fish. I think having one specific person to bring the narrative and research back to may have bene helpful in garnering a stronger connection between the piece and the interactor, especially if the interactor does have personal experience with the circumstances explored. Continuing with techniques of storytelling, I enjoyed scrolling through the narrative. I feel as though a lot of the literature we have looked at thus far has been quite disjointed. Though, by scrolling and staying in one place, or rather one page, helped me feel grounded and as though I had a true handle on the piece.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one and I think it opens the door for a lot of discussion. I am looking forward to hearing Emily’s insight!
