"IN THIS CORNER, WE HAVE THE RED COMPETITOR! HE LIKES TO HEAT THINGS UP, TOSSING BOOKS IN A FIRE AND SENDING PEOPLE TO MARS FOR FUN. WELCOME! RAY BRADBURY!"
A middle aged man dressed in a leotard that seems a size too small for him steps from the shadows in the red corner and into the light. He adjusts his glasses and puts his fists up in a cliché "put-em-up" manner.
"AND IN THIS CORNER, WE HAVE THE BLUE COMPETITOR. WHETHER IT'S SONNETS DISCREDITING PERFECTION OR TRAGEDIES TO GET TO YOUR HEART THIS MAN HAS YOU COVERED. WELCOME! WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE!"
William runs towards the ring, dressed in some kind of silly bard's outfit and a majestic cape. A cameraman runs besides him recording the action, zooming in on the decorative knuckles he is accessorized with. On one hand, it spells "BILLY" and on the other, "SHAKE." His cape slinks off his shoulders and he hands his knuckles to an assistant. He jumps back and forth, pumped for the fight.
"Welcome gentlemen. I want a clean fight from both of you. Whoever wins will decide WHO. IS. THE. BETTER. WRIIITTTEEERRRRR." The crowd goes wild, screaming as the tension grows larger and larger. The two competitors bump their gloves and nod at each other, backing up into their corners and start the fight.
(All events appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real events, is purely coincidental)
Okay. As you can see by my large metaphorical hooplah, I am having a conflict of interests. This year, I have been more exposed to two authors whom I found I have a deep love for.
Ray Bradbury, who wrote novels such as The Martian Chronicles and Fahrenheit 451. I read TMC back in Freshman year, and I loved it (although I am beginning to think I need to reread it). Everyone I know (save for a few) despised the book, and whenever they asked me why I disliked it, I didn't have a clear answer. But I still liked it a lot. This year, I have read both F451 and another called Marionettes Inc. which is slightly less known. What I have noticed about all his books is that he has a unique way of describing what is going on with so much detail that you can physically see what is happening. When reading his short stories and books, I saw it so vividly that I almost wished to create a movie about it. To those who don't know, I am planning to get some kind of degree in Videography/Broadcasting.
William Shakespeare on the other hand, is unique in his own way. I've read his plays practically every year I have been in high school (Romeo and Juliet in Freshman year, MacBeth in Junior year, and Hamlet this year) and every time I read a play I realize how much of a genius Shakespeare really was. Despite the slight language barrier, and his clever wit which is buried in the pages of his text (things I have found many people can't stand), I still love him. Maybe it's cause I get him.
So this is where my dilemna arises (spell check told me that I spelled that word wrong, and I googled it for so long it looks really funky now...). I believe it takes an advanced mind (or a lot of SparkNotes) to get either of these authors. Don't get me wrong, I'm not putting myself above any of you who may not like these authors and I am not saying you have a simple mind, I'm just stating my belief and what I have taken from the observations I have made these last few years. Usually if someone doesn't get something right away, they don't like it and they move on. Fahrenheit 451 is based around this idea. Our fast food society has watered things down so that we get the one thing so we can move on to the next idea without much thought.
The question really is, who do I feel gives me the most complex thoughts? Is the imagery in Bradbury's books exceptional enough that I would root for him? Or is the wit and tragedy that Shakespeare so brilliantly expresses the reason I might like him better?
I can't decide. I'm the referee in the middle of the fight making sure that no one hurts each other in the end. I can't decide between who I think is going to win or who I think I like better. I like them equally the same I suppose.
Two illustrious authors who I believe will always hold a place in my heart.
(Word Count: 828 words)
Okay. As you can see by my large metaphorical hooplah, I am having a conflict of interests. This year, I have been more exposed to two authors whom I found I have a deep love for.
Ray Bradbury, who wrote novels such as The Martian Chronicles and Fahrenheit 451. I read TMC back in Freshman year, and I loved it (although I am beginning to think I need to reread it). Everyone I know (save for a few) despised the book, and whenever they asked me why I disliked it, I didn't have a clear answer. But I still liked it a lot. This year, I have read both F451 and another called Marionettes Inc. which is slightly less known. What I have noticed about all his books is that he has a unique way of describing what is going on with so much detail that you can physically see what is happening. When reading his short stories and books, I saw it so vividly that I almost wished to create a movie about it. To those who don't know, I am planning to get some kind of degree in Videography/Broadcasting.
William Shakespeare on the other hand, is unique in his own way. I've read his plays practically every year I have been in high school (Romeo and Juliet in Freshman year, MacBeth in Junior year, and Hamlet this year) and every time I read a play I realize how much of a genius Shakespeare really was. Despite the slight language barrier, and his clever wit which is buried in the pages of his text (things I have found many people can't stand), I still love him. Maybe it's cause I get him.
So this is where my dilemna arises (spell check told me that I spelled that word wrong, and I googled it for so long it looks really funky now...). I believe it takes an advanced mind (or a lot of SparkNotes) to get either of these authors. Don't get me wrong, I'm not putting myself above any of you who may not like these authors and I am not saying you have a simple mind, I'm just stating my belief and what I have taken from the observations I have made these last few years. Usually if someone doesn't get something right away, they don't like it and they move on. Fahrenheit 451 is based around this idea. Our fast food society has watered things down so that we get the one thing so we can move on to the next idea without much thought.
The question really is, who do I feel gives me the most complex thoughts? Is the imagery in Bradbury's books exceptional enough that I would root for him? Or is the wit and tragedy that Shakespeare so brilliantly expresses the reason I might like him better?
I can't decide. I'm the referee in the middle of the fight making sure that no one hurts each other in the end. I can't decide between who I think is going to win or who I think I like better. I like them equally the same I suppose.
Two illustrious authors who I believe will always hold a place in my heart.
(Word Count: 828 words)
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