Those Who Can't...

[talkstowolves]

Many times in my life have I heard this dismissive phrase spoken. It is a phrase generally uttered with contempt, in blithe and blind disdain of its cause. It is a phrase of prickled pride or of devoted defense of a dear friend or beloved author. It is a pitiable tactic of those who do not wish to engage the varied and complex world of dialogue, interpretation, meaning:

"Those who can, write [or some other creative activity]; those who can't, review [that creative activity]." (Or, even worse: "Those who can, do; those who can't, teach.")

What conceit! What patently false nonsense! What, dare I say, poppycock!

I thought to bring myself forward as Exhibit A as I both write and review. However, who am I? I have only one creative piece published professionally thus far. I have won no prestigious awards. My own creative work has not yet even been reviewed. And my reviews have hardly graced the pages of The New York Times Book Review or even Publisher's Weekly. So, no, I cannot present myself for your consideration.

Instead, consider Eudora Welty.

Eudora Welty was a single woman tour de force in Southern literature, matched (and perhaps surpassed) only by William Faulkner. Her short stories and novels are feats of piercing insight and comic brilliance. She was a six-time winner of the O. Henry Award (for short stories) and won a Pulitzer. Her work is still avidly read and studied today and she was granted over thirty honorary degrees by various universities.

She also happened to write reviews throughout her career and even worked for The New York Times Book Review.

Let us consider this from another perspective. Have you noticed how the publishing industry really goes in for forewords and the like written by prestigious or related authors? Like Clive Barker writing an introduction for one of the collected Sandman graphic novels by Neil Gaiman or, hey, Neil Gaiman writing an introduction for a collected Douglas Adams? In any case, you'll agree that these forewords are solicited from accomplished writers.

Well, what are these forewords but introductory reviews of the work about to be read?

I think, by now, that I have firmly debunked the preposterous claim that only those who cannot write, write reviews. I'd like to go one step further and discuss why reviews are, in general, often ignored, downplayed, or reviled.

I dare say one reason is wounded pride or a perceived lack of understanding on the author's part. No one likes to be judged and found wanting or for their work to be misunderstood. I certainly don't deny the author's right to be hurt with reviews or to feel the need to respond and refute the review's claims. In fact, I rather encourage constructive reviews and counter-reviews and review responses! (I mean by anyone who reads here, not only by the author.)

Because that's what reviews should be. Reviews aren't mere declarations! They're the first part of a dialogue. Sure, you can't necessarily respond to the big reviewers who judge your work and move on, possibly never to think about it again. But their original opinion is not the final matter. Within this beautiful age of the Internet, you can respond to that review! And you can invite others to respond to you, until a glorious dialogue has grown up. This dialogue will do more to engage and evaluate your work than discrete, one paragraph reviews most often published in big magazines ever will.

I will admit that reviewers can lose touch. They grow fat and proud on their own bloated opinions until they believe their taste rarefied, exact... perfect. They no longer care to fully evaluate the work objectively and place it in its proper context. The reviews turned out by such individuals are, of course, useless. (Except, perhaps, for entertaining sound bytes.)

But as for those reviewers who carefully examine, experience, and situate their review materials? Who thoughtfully engage with the novel or musical composition or film? Who offer provocative interpretations and potentially open new avenues of consideration for whosoever encounters their proffered reviews?

How can you disdain that?

Before I close this spontaneous essay, I must engage with the most egregious variant of this phrase yet: "Those who can, do; those who can't, teach."

This statement is utterly and completely ridiculous. It is also horribly insulting. The role of educator is one of the highest callings and an education is one of the most valuable things anyone can possess. It can't be taken away from you by others and it is something that can transform your life in countless ways.

Anyone who lives beyond infancy is taught hundreds, thousands of things by hundreds, thousands of teachers-- both intentional teachers and accidental teachers. Our parents are teachers. Our teachers, of course, are teachers. The people we encounter on the street, at work, on vacation, on the bus, anywhere-- are teachers.

Those who choose to become teachers are not deficient.* They are committed, driven beings who foster an expertise in an area and pass it on to the best of their ability. They are the reason that we have come so far as a species. Without the transmission of knowledge from those who know how to do who are also teachers -- well, I just can't imagine we would have made it much past the trees.

My husband is an absolutely brilliant historian who finds no greater and satisfying joy** than to share his knowledge and encourage students both to understand the complex weave of history and to engage with it in building their lives. Literature is my life's blood, and the exploration of stories and storytelling is something I wish to always be engaged in-- how wonderful, how satisfying if I could start others on the same path!

Don't ever tell me that we teach, that we dedicate our lives to our students, our future, because we can't do. We are doing every day-- both in teaching and in our personal pursuits. And in addition to our personal doing, we are doing our utmost to build an open-minded, beautiful, and educated future.

Thank you very much.

* Looking at the state of public schools across several states that I'm familiar with, I am forced to admit that not everyone who becomes a teacher is a competent, creative, and highly educated person. But you'll find tarnish anywhere, so don't let that diminish my message.

** Ahem, in his professional life.

Note: Cut-tag suggested by the witty, lovely writer-reviewer-jewelry-maker copperwise.

Comments

[domynoe.livejournal.com]

I know it's often uttered with disdain, but my thought always is, THANK GOD! Otherwise...who would teach, review, edit, or whatever. Granted, many who do teach, review, edit, or whatever also do, but those who choose to use their talent for these other options are godsends to the rest of us.

If that makes sense.

[rmthunter.livejournal.com]

Actually, those who can do often teach, although they are not always the best teachers.

And, as you pointed out, those who can often review.

And as one who has created, taught, and reviewed, I think your last comment is right on point.