You felt it as a depth of ease in certain boys, their innate, affable assurance that they would not have to struggle for a place in the world; that is already reserved for them.
Tobias WolffRead
Because I don't have to be careful of people's feelings when I teach literature, and I do when I'm teaching writing.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Teaching literature allows more freedom to express ideas, unlike teaching writing, which requires sensitivity to students' emotions.
In this quote, Tobias Wolff reflects on the differences in teaching literature compared to writing. He suggests that when teaching literature, educators can engage with the text and ideas more freely, possibly challenging students without the burden of considering their feelings. In contrast, teaching writing requires a level of emotional awareness and care, as students' personal expressions are often more vulnerable and tied to their self-esteem. This distinction highlights the delicate nature of writing instruction versus the more analytical approach to literature.
Themes
EducationLiteratureWritingTeachingFeelings
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture on literature, I might share this quote to emphasize the importance of free thought in analysis.
More from Tobias Wolff
All quotes βYou don't teach information in a writing workshop.
Tobias WolffRead
Of course it's why you want to become a writer - because you have the liberty to do that, but once you have the liberty you also have the obligation to do it.
Tobias WolffRead
It's probably why I'm a short story writer. I tend to remember things in the past in narrative form, in story form, and I grew up around people who told stories all the time.
Tobias WolffRead
Like so many writers I started writing stories because I didn't have much time for anything else.
Tobias WolffRead
I believe that the short story is as different a form from the novel as poetry is, and the best stories seem to me to be perhaps closer in spirit to poetry than to novels.
Tobias WolffRead
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