Summary: “The Loss of the Creature” by Walker Percy
Walker Percy was a proficient and renowned writer who contributed in the development of classical literature. He wrote numerous novels and books, which borrowed from philosophy and semiotics disciplines. His literature work remains relevant until today because it aims at understand human lifestyle from an existential and faith based perspective.
In the article “The Loss of the Creature”, the author provides a clear overview on how a tourist and a student strive to internalize knowledge and experience from an experts/planner point of view. The essay is divided into two parts with each part using a different approach in expounding this subject. The first part mainly addresses the issue of expert/planner and consumer by applying a tourist perspective. In the second part, Walker uses a student perspective to shade more light on the subject.
Summary: Part 1
In this part, the author points out that people tend to name anything that they have discovered on their own as being magnificent. However, the beauty ascribed to a either a natural feature such as a canyon or a discovery can only be understood and expressed effectively by applying an enmic approach. This implies that a sightseer ought to apply the perspective of the discoverer so that to understand the meaning and value of the object in question. In his analysis, the author use the example of Grand Canyon that was discovered by Gracia Lopez to explain how value of an object varies when viewed from unauthentic point of view. Walker articulates that although many tourists tour Grand Canyon annually and enjoy all the recreation facilities offered, they do not experience true meaning of viewing Grand Canyon. This aspect occurs because tourists view the canyon under unapproved conditions.
This implies that the perception and imagination of tourists is skewed towards attaining symbolic complex of the object. In this case, tourists measure the echelon of satisfaction by skewing their imagination to fit with the preformed complexity. Walker states clearly that the aim of sightseers/tourists is not to measure their satisfaction based on the preformed parameter, but through the use discoverer authenticity. Existence of preformed complexity hinders tourists and sightseers to view Grand Canyon clearly. However, the author points out that tourist can enhance their visibility by getting off the beaten track.
Walker elaborates that tourists wishing to overcome this challenge should refrain from using traditional methods of touring the canyon. Instead of using tour vans and relaying on tour guides for assistance, one should walk, cross valleys and mountains, until he reaches the canyon. In doing so, a tourist will achieve discoverer sovereignty; an idea that enhance satisfaction. The author uses the example of a couple who got lost while travelling from Mexico to Guatemala. Although the journey was tiresome, the couple enjoyed their tour because they had experienced discovery sovereignty. In the conclusion, walker emphasizes that realization of discovery sovereignty enhances imagination, visibility and satisfaction.
Summary: Part 2
In the second part, the author employs a student approach in explaining how a student strives to understand concepts theoretically and in real life situation. In order to attract the reader’s attention, Walker provides an excellent example that compares two different learning environments. The author points out that a student who has seen a dogfish before, understands better than a student who has never seen dogfish before. Based on this assertion, the author points out that knowledge gained through real life experiences is more effective than knowledge gained through theories. The author draws a distinction between a teacher and the students on how each party understands class concepts. In most cases, the teacher does not understand the association between the student and internalization of concepts learnt from course materials.
Walker points out that student face challenges while striving to salvage the content in books. The challenges arise from the way the content is represented in the media (book); an idea that symbolically obscure internalization of the content. In the example; involving a Scardale student and Falkland Islander, the author points out that both parties understood the concept of dogfish differently. The Falkland Islander is a learner experiencing sovereignty right about the creation. On the other hand, the student is a consumer who learns through an experts experience package. Walker points out that student need to redefine teachers’ instructions so that to understand the experience package effectively. At the end of the essay, the author provides a detailed and comprehensive conclusion that supports his argument and more importantly, provide viable recommendations.
The essay has two parts and each part convey substantive information. The author has divided the essay into two parts because both parts complement each other and shade more light on the issue. Both parts elaborate the predicament that faces a student and tourists; who symbolize consumers and expert experience. Experts and planners use technical knowledge to present content; an idea that makes the consumer loose discovery sovereignty. This aspect can be enhanced when the consumer interacts with real life situations and engages in practical activities.
A relationship exists between the student and the tourist because both parties symbolize consumers. As a result of this, both parties strive to understand environmental aspects by applying expert experience perspective. Both parties lack discovery sovereignty, but they achieve it when they interact with the reality. In the analysis, the author uses a tourist in explaining the challenges students face when striving to salvage content from the books. In this case, students tend to internalize concept learnt in class by engaging in practical lessons. In so doing, they end up attaining discovery sovereignty thus helping them store the information for a long time. This move leads to satisfaction, contentment and realization of inner self.
Percy has raised an argument that aim at improving education and learning process schools. Walker argues that education can be improved when students are allowed to attain discovery sovereignty. This implies that learning should be student centred and not the other way round. In supporting this argument, Walker points that, “students should learn Poetry and English in interludes. Students of Poetry should find their experience package (sonnet) in their desks and students of biology should find their dogfish on dissection board, p.470”. In other words, subjects that require theoretical approach should be taught theoretically while technical subjects should be taught via practical approach. This move will enable enhance learning process in class and promote satisfaction. Walker argues that this move will eliminate aspect of double deprivation because students will become consumers of experience and not receivers of expert experience package.
Work cited
Percy, Walker. "The Loss of the Creature ." Scribd. Version 1. Scribd, 2 Feb. 2012. Web. 11 Apr. 2013.
