I did not particularly care about the poem, “How to Write the New Mennonite Poem” by Jeff Gundy. Even though it is just a poem and it is not what you have to do, but I did not like the line, “Get the word ‘Mennonite’ in at least twice.” I thought that it was weird since it goes from Mennonites from the past to sex and wedding rings to the “miles you have come…” I think that the portrait Gundy gives to Mennonites is that as long as you remember the past, you are good to go (have a CD player, a vehicle, and like sex “even when you know the people…are listening”).
I liked the poem, “Mennonites” by Julia Kasdorf. I liked how Kasdorf describes Mennonites. I just do not like some of the things that Mennonites do not do such as dance. This reminds me of the scene in the movie Footloose with Kevin Bacon where he tells the audience and city council members that David danced. He danced for the rain, crops, and most of all, he danced for GOD. Another thing that I do not like is that God is always (no matter what) first. The reason I do not like this is probably because I am not religious so I do not really see eye-to-eye with religious people (but they also do not see where I am coming from such as violence vs. non-violence) so I always place family first.
I also liked the poem, “A New Mennonite Replies to Julia Kasdorf” by David Wright. I like this because it gives a different perspective to what Mennonites do and sheds light on some of the other things. I think that the portrait that Wright gives Mennonites is that they follow God, their minds wander, and “May God bless their mind’s wanderings.”
Jamie,
ReplyDeleteI found it interesting that you didn't really like Jeff Gundy's poem, because I really enjoyed reading it. Gundy has such a humorous approach to the subject that contrasts well with Kasdorf's more staid, almost somber tone. I agree with what you said about the line, "Get the word Mennonite in at least twice." This line seemed to be a little trite or almost a lame attempt at humor, but perhaps I'm just oversensitive to Mennonites attempting to pander to secular or non-Mennonite audiences, as this is my complaint of Rhoda Janzen as well.
I'm glad to see that you found David Wright's poem relatable. Coming from a Mennonite background, I of course related more easily with Gundy and Kasdorf's poem, and so it's more interesting to me to hear someone's reaction to these poems who hasn't grown up in the Mennonite church, because sometimes the topics seem almost cliche to me, but perhaps they are new and unfamiliar to you. This is a topic that I think will be interest to explore further as we continue reading more Mennonite Lit this semester.
Jamie, I enjoyed your response to these three poems.
ReplyDeleteJeff's poem is really a spoof or parody of Julia's poem, which was written first. Hers is a more serious poem that poses serious questions about the faith and offers a succinct historical narrative. Julia's poem was written with a broader audience in mind; Jeff's poem was mostly written as a funny, self-critical poem for Mennonites--but it has an edgy, sarcastic tone which may have put you off a bit. David's poem, on the other hand, opens things up a bit. It's more respectful, yet very contemporary--as he describes what he sees in the urban setting he is in. I like the part where he and his wife notice the "plain" Mennonites in the Chinese restaurant and wonder whether they should introduce themselves.
Footloose! Yes! Jamie thank you for your post, especially for the Footloose reference. I'm pretty sure my Mom (a Mennonite pastor's daughter, growing up in Kansas in the 60s and 70s) would say that she identified heavily with that film. Many "Mennonite" issues are actually pretty universal, as your Footloose reference points out. Problems between generations as the children and grandchildren grow away from tradition, influences from the "other" culture, immigrant mentalities fading through the generations, a persecuted past - these are not just Mennonite problems. Even taking oneself and one's culture too seriously is not inherently Mennonite. David's and Jeff's poems take some of that Mennonite (for lack of a better word) angst in Julia's poem and air it out with humor and practicality.
ReplyDeleteIt's really great to get the perspective of a non-Mennonite every once in a while—thanks, Jamie. I also think it's interesting that you bring up religion in a spiritual sense in this post. We've talked a lot about what it means to be a Mennonite culturally in this class, but we hardly ever use the word “God” or talk about Mennonite spirituality. I wonder if you, as a non-religious person, would see “eye to eye” (as you put it) with Mennonites in terms of non-religious beliefs and practices? I also think it's interesting that few Mennonite writers (at least these three) don't really talk about God or their spirituality, but just about secular Mennonite culture. Though on second thought, maybe these two factors (Mennonite spirituality and culture) are interrelated—each one affecting the other—and can't really be distinguished from each other.
ReplyDelete