- How does Mr. Lytle come across to you as a reader of the essay? How does Sullivan bring him alive?
- What seems to be Sullivan's attitude toward Lytle?
- What does this essay seem to say about art or making art or the writing life?
- Why does it open and close with such detail about the making of the coffin?
Welcome to the blog for Prof. John Talbird's English 220 class. The purpose of this site is two-fold: 1) to continue the conversations we start in class (or to start conversations before we get to class) and 2) to practice our writing/reading on a weekly basis in an informal forum.
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
Mr. Lytle: An Essay
Andrew Lytle was a famous Southern writer in the first half of the 20th century though he's sunken into obscurity since. Some questions I have about the essay:
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Mr. Lytle seems like a man who is enjoying life. I cannot really tell if Sullivan is fond of him or just really observant. He is a staple of the community and everyone took part in his life, what he had left of it anyway. At the beginning of the essay it is kind of funny how he implies the coffin was an ignored obligation because no one expected him to die. A side note, it seems a little homoerotic, the vibe of his character. It was more so his interactions with others that personified. Mr. Lytle was a mentor to these young men, so I don't know if he was hiding his sexual interests, genuinely concerned, or trying to pass the time in a meaningful way. When Mr. Lytle is approaching death and he tells Sullivan he is a writer, maybe it is because Sullivan was more honest about himself than others who tried.
ReplyDeleteMr. Lytle is clearly an eccentric (I think this was Walton's word). I like the line of his: "The artist's life is strewn w/ traps" both b/c it's true and b/c it tells us something about Lytle. as someone who has struggled to balance writing and making a living (and family, relaxation, etc.), I know that there are many things that can keep you from making your work. However, it also seems that Lytle uses his art to excuse bad behavior. A lot of artists are notorious for using their art as an excuse for engaging in all kinds of nasty, self-indulgent behavior (hitting on younger people, mistreating their spouses, drinking too much or doing drugs, etc.).
ReplyDeleteMr. Lytle comes across to me as an old man that is comfortable with getting older. He knows the end of his life is coming and he seems to be o.k. with it. Sullivan seems to have a genuine respect for Lytle. He seems to value a lot of what he says. I think when art work is discussed in the article, it speaks about how personal art and writing itself is. I think they are trying to convey a message of how art is a part of the writer. Art and writing shows a person's experiences. The construction and design of the coffin is a very good example of this.
ReplyDeleteSullivan brings Mr. Lytle to life by build his back story and a personality to match it of an old mad that knows at this point in his life he can do as he pleases and that is to help young writers mentoring them onto their own paths.
ReplyDeleteReading this you sort of sense that Sullivan pictures Mr.Lytle as a mentor of sorts maybe even a father figure.
-In this essay MR lytle comes across as an intelligent and witty old man at the slowly loosing his mind stages seeking companionship by mentoring young men almost like a saint . he speaks his mind freely but in guidance not hostility .Sullivan keeps him alive by bringing him companionship.
ReplyDelete-Sullivan attitude towards lytle is admiration like a father figure and respect for being an educator/mentor
-the creation of art/writing displayed in this essay as open arm . what i mean by open arms is even a mistake can be great that is represented in his letters that he was sending Sullivan the grammatical errors that was viewed as brilliance
-the coffin represents the ending and beginning of the story of lytles life
At first Mr. Lytle seemed like an old man who lived very strict lifestyle and was sad and lonely after his wife did and his daughter had moved out. Although Lytle had mentor other young men I do not think that he made a connection with anyone of them like he did with Sullivan. Throughout the essay Sullivan and Lytle became closer working together and they bonded. Sullivan helped bring Lytle to life by working with him, living with him, being his companion and sharing stories and just being able to have someone around to spend time with, since he was living alone after his wife died. Sullivan’s attitude towards Lytle seems to be sympathetic, caring and love towards him. Even though he was there to be mentored you can tell that Sullivan grew to love Lytle, he cared about him a lot and took the time out to make sure his was okay, he visited him every week after he moved out.
ReplyDeleteMr. Lytle comes across as a very popular individual. He also seems controlling and determined. Sullivan is able to bring him alive by moving in with him and keeping him company. The two go on to bond over their work by writing and sharing readings. Sullivan keeps Lytle alive by simply being there and spending time with him.
ReplyDeleteSullivan becomes rather fond of Lytle rather quickly. Sullivan describes him as exotic and confesses that he loves Lytle. The two seem to develop a more than friendly relationship.
The essay opens and closes with the detail much like Lytle who portrayed himself in life as a detailed man who remained dedicated. Sullivan focuses greatly on the coffin because that is his last memory of Lytle. Though Sullivan was able to be apart of Lytle's last moments and keep him going though its evident he should've already been dead. Sullivan was only able to keep him for a while. Its almost as if all Sullivan's time and effort went to waste since Lytle died.