Whaling Out West Reflection

Of the lessons of this course, the distinction made between story and situation will be the most important legacy in my writing. I learned a great travel essay cannot be merely its situation: its place, time, and action. It requires a story, the reader’s internal “journey of discovery.” While the importance of establishing home, of balancing summary and scene, and other lessons impacted my writing, this assertion at least in my estimation the core argument of the course. Charles D’Ambrosio’s “Whaling Out West” was the best of the reading in drawing the distinction between the story and the situation. His ability to describe the situation of the conflict over whaling by native peoples to convey the story of his inner struggle over his decision to not procreate was immensely admirable. The excerpt from David Foster Wallace’s “A Supposedly Fun Thing I’ll Never Do Again” was another readings which excellently illustrated this point. His criticism of the cruise ship industry and of American culture more generally is ever present with his growing feelings of despair. This was my favorite essay of the semester. I imagine this will not an unpopular opinion in these reflections. The selection from A

on a research trip for an article I am writing for the State Historical Society of Iowa. I hope to visit the home of a Robert Butler, a murderer and slavecatcher, who has featured prominently in months of my research since the house is owned by the Butler family, this will require me to interact with his descendants who have a very different perspective on how he should be remembered. I hope to apply the skills discussed in this class to writing a non-academic reflection on this journey. From this course, I know this essay will fail without my personal story. I have learned I must allow my experiences to shape this “journey of discovery,” to challenge my preconceived notions rather than adhere to