This week we read a Joyce Carol Oates story  inspired by a Bob Dylan song.  Earlier, I went to my bookshelves here in Mexicali and re-read the memoirs of these two legendary artists.  Joyce used to find her writing “spirit” in running long distances; that’s right, not in the presence of brilliant professors or authors, but out on the road all by herself running through the landscape of her mind.  (Did she run with headphones? I wonder.)   In the early sixties, Bob took up drawing to put a little order in the chaos of his world.  Critics of his work say he riffs with his brush strokes – music emerges from his painting.  Different strokes for different folks.

This gave me an idea.  If Joyce could draw inspiration from Bob’s music, could I encourage my  students to connect their music with their writing?  We discuss allegory in class.   I asked my students to search for important meaning below the surface of their favorite music:  Metalica,  Lana Del Rey,  Katie Perry.. I’ve asked them to write what they find.  Below I share a David Bowie song that makes reference to a famous work of literature.

Here is what I think:  over the years, our standardized classrooms have flattened and dulled student writing. Maybe it’s their music that can bring back a little color and shape to their ideas.