Happy Birthday!, 1/23

Yesterday's class was very intriguing and engaging. I found myself completely interested in everything being talked about. I think tmesis is one of the coolest processes I've ever learned about. Again, it's something I was doing constantly without knowing...but I didn't have a formal name for the act. Already, I've learned so much!

Although, one thing I would have to disagree with that we discussed is that the author cannot predict tmesis. Barthes states, “The author cannot predict tmesis.” (109) I know the author cannot predict what it’s reader will feel because we all have different realities, morals, opinions, visions, etc. Yet, I believe authors can sometimes control the reader’s feelings to evoke a certain emotion. For example, different genres of writings exist today and appeal to certain types of people because it evokes a particular emotion out of that person. Yes, sometimes maybe that person doesn’t feel exactly how the author may have felt and the author cannot control exactly how its audience may feel, but I’ve always learned that there is a certain tone to an author’s writing. This tone sets the mood for the piece therefore giving the reader a sense of emotion.

In CMC 200 I learned that a large percentage (not sure of the exact numbers) of women read Romance novels because it fills an empty void they may be experiencing with their spouse or loved one. Authors of this book create this type of story to evoke certain emotions out of these female readers, or else they would not be so popular. Women described romance novels as escaping from their reality and into a fantasy world, which they can have that perfect (yet unrealistic) romantic life. This supports my claim that authors write in a certain style and with a certain tone to evoke a certain emotion.