L'Engle and the Art of Journaling

Bros:

As discussed in class, it is interesting to note Madeleine L'Engle's style in writing a rather heavy theological reflection about the "eschaton" that is ironically presented as an informal, conversational thought-piece.

Seamlessly written, her journal entry is rooted in time and place, beginning with a description of setting both externally--that is, involving details of her physical environment--as well as details of her internal environment, the stuff of her heart and mind, of her lived experience. She uses the space in between the opening and closing of her entry to espouse a philosophy of life that is closely tied into all that is currently happening around her at the moment of her writing, two o'clock in the morning over a cup of hot bouillon.

That said, I would like you to create a journal entry of your own, written in the very style demonstrated in L'Engle's entry. Again, notice the pattern--an interwoven dynamic of setting, time, place, reflection on current experiences, setting, time, and place.

This assignment is essentially a free writing assignment, but it will require that you seek out a quiet space in your normal home environment. Root yourself in place and then simply write about what is on your heart and mind in the style of L'Engle. Fall into your own groove and just let your thoughts drift a la free writing. Be sure, however, to have a basic thrust--that is, theme--to keep your reflection focused, as with the in-class free write we did on Wednesday of this past week.

For L'Engle, the basic thrust of her piece is the "eschaton" as it relates to the liturgical season of Advent and as it relates to the day-to-day experiences of herself and those around her. Her eschatalogical vision, like Merton's, is one of hope. L'Engle writes, "The end of the world in the eschatalogical sense has nothing to do with pride or anger and it is not just the end of this one planet...It is the redemption, not the destruction of Creation" (3). Thus, the coming of the Kingdom, the end days is really about beginning.

Please structure everything according to MLA format, especially if you quote L'Engle for whatever reason. Meanwhile, I expect you to have a title for your entry as usual and to follow the typical header and heading formats of previous essays. Remember, however, that this is not so much an essay you are writing as it is a journal entry. Thus, you can get away with being a bit more informal in your writing. Just be sure to develop your thoughts fully and clearly! This should be at least three typed pages.

It is due next Wednesday, March 4, 2009.

Peace,
Sister Peach, FSC