Gertrude Stein

After our discussion in class and the readings we did last week, the ideas and reasons for Gertrude Stein's book, "How to Write" became more clear. Although I am still not quite sure about the "type" of writing she portrays throughout this book, it is clear that throughout all the language and writing she puts into this book, she is indeed providing us the tools and answers in how to write. While this was not clear at first, the discussion we had in class today made it more evident. What I believe Stein is saying about how to write is not just one thing in particular, but a bunch of different ideas and rules that tie together that allows one to understand how to write. The way Stein writes is quite interesting, something I had never encountered before. After reading a couple of pages in her book, I realized she puts examples into her explanations, making it easier to understand what she means and what she believes. What I believe Gertrude Stein is saying about how to write is that one must be patient. It is not something that just comes, it can take time and effort. I also believe she is stating that although we might think we know everything their is about language and writing, that is all but the stuff we are taught, is there more out there? I believe Gertrude Stein answers this question by portraying the many different levels of writing and ways to not only understand writing itself, but how to read it. By doing so she makes it evident that there is indeed other elements of language and writing itself that one may not fully understand. But instead of giving up and walking away, one should take time in comprehending and understanding in order to fully appreciate how to write. Again, although her style of writing is confusing, she is teaching us what she believes in about how to write by providing us with text that is somewhat different but comprehendible. This type of reading engages us in a way of thinking which we never really take time to do, because to us it is unknown. By engaging in this thinking, we are learning of new ways outside the box of "traditional" writing skills and learning so much more about writing as well as reading.