If only this were required reading for every Oxford pre-matriculate---though ideally it'd be a classroom backbone to begin with. Your point on your aesthetic reconfiguration being something ethical was terribly moving, and the way you manage to combine such clear and poignant argument with the most perfectly rendered, flash-quick vignettes of the people you encounter is done with such finesse.
The end of this essay reminded me of a quote you once shared with me, something along the lines of "If you walked through a grocery store without the goggles of habit, you'd be astounded." I know the goggles of habit aren't really what this essay is about, but I'm glad you walk through Walmart without them. If you ever get the chance to come visit, let's go to Market Basket.
If only this were required reading for every Oxford pre-matriculate---though ideally it'd be a classroom backbone to begin with. Your point on your aesthetic reconfiguration being something ethical was terribly moving, and the way you manage to combine such clear and poignant argument with the most perfectly rendered, flash-quick vignettes of the people you encounter is done with such finesse.
Much better writers pine for readers who are as generous to their work as you are to mine. Always all my thanks, Alice :)
Oxonians* ;)
An extremely Oxonian comment, I love it
The end of this essay reminded me of a quote you once shared with me, something along the lines of "If you walked through a grocery store without the goggles of habit, you'd be astounded." I know the goggles of habit aren't really what this essay is about, but I'm glad you walk through Walmart without them. If you ever get the chance to come visit, let's go to Market Basket.
On some level I think everything I've put on this Substack is at least a little bit about the goggles of habit <3