The Rest Is Silence: Empowering Ellipsis | Sonja Nikkila | TEDxUTSC

so I’m Sonia Nicola and I am here to

so I’m Sonia Nicola and I am here to tell you some stories about ellipses now

tell you some stories about ellipses now

tell you some stories about ellipses now since I work in English literature it

since I work in English literature it

since I work in English literature it shouldn’t surprise anyone we have to

shouldn’t surprise anyone we have to

shouldn’t surprise anyone we have to take the first story from Shakespeare

take the first story from Shakespeare

take the first story from Shakespeare some of you may have spotted that

some of you may have spotted that

some of you may have spotted that Hamlet’s famous last words are in my

Hamlet’s famous last words are in my

Hamlet’s famous last words are in my title but I actually want to take us to

title but I actually want to take us to

title but I actually want to take us to a different set of last words I want to

a different set of last words I want to

a different set of last words I want to go to that last scene in Othello I want

go to that last scene in Othello I want

go to that last scene in Othello I want to think about how Yago the villain has

to think about how Yago the villain has

to think about how Yago the villain has one more knife to twist and he delivers

one more knife to twist and he delivers

one more knife to twist and he delivers those last lines like a curse demand me

those last lines like a curse demand me

those last lines like a curse demand me nothing what you know you know from this

nothing what you know you know from this

nothing what you know you know from this time forth I never will speak word and

time forth I never will speak word and

time forth I never will speak word and so we ask ourselves we ask this play

so we ask ourselves we ask this play

so we ask ourselves we ask this play what’s the reason what’s the explanation

what’s the reason what’s the explanation

what’s the reason what’s the explanation why did all of this jealousy and hatred

why did all of this jealousy and hatred

why did all of this jealousy and hatred and death have to happen and Iago won’t

and death have to happen and Iago won’t

and death have to happen and Iago won’t answer us and so I see this scene play

answer us and so I see this scene play

answer us and so I see this scene play out in my classrooms I see my students

out in my classrooms I see my students

out in my classrooms I see my students frustrated with these Iago texts they

frustrated with these Iago texts they

frustrated with these Iago texts they pour their words into our brains and

pour their words into our brains and

pour their words into our brains and then refuse to give us a clear answer at

then refuse to give us a clear answer at

then refuse to give us a clear answer at the end and I do understand the

the end and I do understand the

the end and I do understand the frustration I understand the pressure to

frustration I understand the pressure to

frustration I understand the pressure to get the right answer so you can get the

get the right answer so you can get the

get the right answer so you can get the right grade so you can graduate with the

right grade so you can graduate with the

right grade so you can graduate with the right marks I also though the pressure

right marks I also though the pressure

right marks I also though the pressure of sitting next to Hermione whose hand

of sitting next to Hermione whose hand

of sitting next to Hermione whose hand goes up before the question is even

goes up before the question is even

goes up before the question is even finished but really I understand the

finished but really I understand the

finished but really I understand the frustration because I’ve been there I

frustration because I’ve been there I

frustration because I’ve been there I know what it feels like to just want the

know what it feels like to just want the

know what it feels like to just want the answer and be confronted with dot dot

answer and be confronted with dot dot

answer and be confronted with dot dot dot my own story of ellipses begins on a

dot my own story of ellipses begins on a

dot my own story of ellipses begins on a beach I’m standing on a beach with

beach I’m standing on a beach with

beach I’m standing on a beach with Antoinette but if I’m going to tell the

Antoinette but if I’m going to tell the

Antoinette but if I’m going to tell the story properly I guess I need to

story properly I guess I need to

story properly I guess I need to introduce Antoinette once upon a time

introduce Antoinette once upon a time

introduce Antoinette once upon a time two girls came to Harvard one was from

two girls came to Harvard one was from

two girls came to Harvard one was from Los Angeles and womans from Detroit they

Los Angeles and womans from Detroit they

Los Angeles and womans from Detroit they were both pretty poor and trying

were both pretty poor and trying

were both pretty poor and trying figure out how to fit into this new

figure out how to fit into this new

figure out how to fit into this new world they lived in the same dorm they

world they lived in the same dorm they

world they lived in the same dorm they studied English and they became friends

studied English and they became friends

studied English and they became friends then one day they stood on the beach

then one day they stood on the beach

then one day they stood on the beach writing in the sand that’s me I am

writing in the sand that’s me I am

writing in the sand that’s me I am working on Prospero’s lines from The

working on Prospero’s lines from The

working on Prospero’s lines from The Tempest because Shakespeare we are such

Tempest because Shakespeare we are such

Tempest because Shakespeare we are such stuff as dreams are made on and our

stuff as dreams are made on and our

stuff as dreams are made on and our little life is rounded with a sleep I

little life is rounded with a sleep I

little life is rounded with a sleep I thought I was so clever this was perfect

thought I was so clever this was perfect

thought I was so clever this was perfect the waves would watch the words away

the waves would watch the words away

the waves would watch the words away like dreams this is good it was awful it

like dreams this is good it was awful it

like dreams this is good it was awful it was a terrible choice it’s way too long

was a terrible choice it’s way too long

was a terrible choice it’s way too long to write on the beach I wasn’t even

to write on the beach I wasn’t even

to write on the beach I wasn’t even halfway done with Prospero and I look

halfway done with Prospero and I look

halfway done with Prospero and I look over and Antoinette is on her patch of

over and Antoinette is on her patch of

over and Antoinette is on her patch of beach and she’s written three words I am

beach and she’s written three words I am

beach and she’s written three words I am uh I am a what No she says that’s the

uh I am a what No she says that’s the

uh I am a what No she says that’s the whole thing huh it’s from Ulysses she

whole thing huh it’s from Ulysses she

whole thing huh it’s from Ulysses she says when bloom writes I am on the beach

says when bloom writes I am on the beach

says when bloom writes I am on the beach and he can’t finish it now she had

and he can’t finish it now she had

and he can’t finish it now she had gotten a head start on modernist writers

gotten a head start on modernist writers

gotten a head start on modernist writers I knew about Ulysses the way you know

I knew about Ulysses the way you know

I knew about Ulysses the way you know about Mount Everest but I hadn’t read it

about Mount Everest but I hadn’t read it

about Mount Everest but I hadn’t read it myself I was confused oh ok ok

myself I was confused oh ok ok

myself I was confused oh ok ok but bloom is a what you you’re a what no

but bloom is a what you you’re a what no

but bloom is a what you you’re a what no she said it’s unfinished that’s the

she said it’s unfinished that’s the

she said it’s unfinished that’s the point she was so confident in the

point she was so confident in the

point she was so confident in the unsolved I was frustrated I wanted the

unsolved I was frustrated I wanted the

unsolved I was frustrated I wanted the answer I wanted to get it right

answer I wanted to get it right

answer I wanted to get it right I wanted the solution to the puzzle but

I wanted the solution to the puzzle but

I wanted the solution to the puzzle but Antoinette saw that the unfinished miss

Antoinette saw that the unfinished miss

Antoinette saw that the unfinished miss was the important thing that was the

was the important thing that was the

was the important thing that was the thing worthy of remembering and

thing worthy of remembering and

thing worthy of remembering and replicating and there on the sand I

replicating and there on the sand I

replicating and there on the sand I learned from her the most significant

learned from her the most significant

learned from her the most significant thing I’ve learned at Harvard right

thing I’ve learned at Harvard right

thing I’ve learned at Harvard right there on the sand I began my battle for

there on the sand I began my battle for

there on the sand I began my battle for not against the unanswered the ellipses

not against the unanswered the ellipses

not against the unanswered the ellipses now the first thing that I did in this

now the first thing that I did in this

now the first thing that I did in this battle was read Ulysses this is the page

battle was read Ulysses this is the page

battle was read Ulysses this is the page when bloom writes on the beach it’s

when bloom writes on the beach it’s

when bloom writes on the beach it’s complete with my college notes and when

complete with my college notes and when

complete with my college notes and when I look at it now here’s what strikes me

I look at it now here’s what strikes me

I look at it now here’s what strikes me about what anthem that did

about what anthem that did

about what anthem that did in Joyce’s text blooms phrase is

in Joyce’s text blooms phrase is

in Joyce’s text blooms phrase is emphatic and solid I am all capitals and

emphatic and solid I am all capitals and

emphatic and solid I am all capitals and periods but it’s also it’s broken

periods but it’s also it’s broken

periods but it’s also it’s broken sporadic it’s interrupted by blooms

sporadic it’s interrupted by blooms

sporadic it’s interrupted by blooms neurotic inner monologue Antoinette’s

neurotic inner monologue Antoinette’s

neurotic inner monologue Antoinette’s translation was unified was flowing was

translation was unified was flowing was

translation was unified was flowing was elliptical I am uh she took a phrase

elliptical I am uh she took a phrase

elliptical I am uh she took a phrase that was full of angst and effort and

that was full of angst and effort and

that was full of angst and effort and she turned it into something that was an

she turned it into something that was an

she turned it into something that was an affirmation a declaration of identity if

affirmation a declaration of identity if

affirmation a declaration of identity if I can interpret her interpretation

I can interpret her interpretation

I can interpret her interpretation unfinished miss in Joyce’s text is

unfinished miss in Joyce’s text is

unfinished miss in Joyce’s text is something difficult painful shameful

something difficult painful shameful

something difficult painful shameful signifying maybe impotence the failure

signifying maybe impotence the failure

signifying maybe impotence the failure of middle-aged masculinity I am NOT the

of middle-aged masculinity I am NOT the

of middle-aged masculinity I am NOT the first to suggest that blooms inability

first to suggest that blooms inability

first to suggest that blooms inability to finish writing is a sign of his

to finish writing is a sign of his

to finish writing is a sign of his inability to finish other things but

inability to finish other things but

inability to finish other things but Antoinette was celebrating identity as

Antoinette was celebrating identity as

Antoinette was celebrating identity as unfinished as complex changing

unfinished as complex changing

unfinished as complex changing rewritable not finishing the phrase i am

rewritable not finishing the phrase i am

rewritable not finishing the phrase i am a– that’s not failure

a– that’s not failure

a– that’s not failure that’s necessity none of us can be or

that’s necessity none of us can be or

that’s necessity none of us can be or should be encapsulated in a single term

should be encapsulated in a single term

should be encapsulated in a single term we are many things we contain multitudes

we are many things we contain multitudes

we are many things we contain multitudes and tomorrow even later today we will be

and tomorrow even later today we will be

and tomorrow even later today we will be something else again no matter how much

something else again no matter how much

something else again no matter how much we write and rewrite ourselves there

we write and rewrite ourselves there

we write and rewrite ourselves there will always be new sand that’s what I

will always be new sand that’s what I

will always be new sand that’s what I love so much about studying English

love so much about studying English

love so much about studying English literature now today we are the ones who

literature now today we are the ones who

literature now today we are the ones who get to do the writing and the rewriting

get to do the writing and the rewriting

get to do the writing and the rewriting every one of us has our own beach to

every one of us has our own beach to

every one of us has our own beach to write on whether we are women or poor or

write on whether we are women or poor or

write on whether we are women or poor or black or queer whether we were born here

black or queer whether we were born here

black or queer whether we were born here or there each one of us gets to decide

or there each one of us gets to decide

or there each one of us gets to decide what Ulysses means every one of us gets

what Ulysses means every one of us gets

what Ulysses means every one of us gets to interpret the words of a famous dead

to interpret the words of a famous dead

to interpret the words of a famous dead white dude and we

white dude and we

white dude and we speak our meanings up until shockingly

speak our meanings up until shockingly

speak our meanings up until shockingly recently a place like Harvard any

recently a place like Harvard any

recently a place like Harvard any university would have ignored or

university would have ignored or

university would have ignored or rejected the voices of people who looked

rejected the voices of people who looked

rejected the voices of people who looked like us talked like us thought like us

like us talked like us thought like us

like us talked like us thought like us but the tide comes in and the words

but the tide comes in and the words

but the tide comes in and the words change and the world changes so why I

change and the world changes so why I

change and the world changes so why I don’t see English as just a discipline

don’t see English as just a discipline

don’t see English as just a discipline just a thing to study at university I

just a thing to study at university I

just a thing to study at university I see it as a way of thinking about and

see it as a way of thinking about and

see it as a way of thinking about and talking about the world it’s a way of

talking about the world it’s a way of

talking about the world it’s a way of recognizing that identity and meaning

recognizing that identity and meaning

recognizing that identity and meaning are fluid in literature we don’t just

are fluid in literature we don’t just

are fluid in literature we don’t just suggest that the story is always open to

suggest that the story is always open to

suggest that the story is always open to interpretation we insist on it and so

interpretation we insist on it and so

interpretation we insist on it and so our students can see us as Iago’s

our students can see us as Iago’s

our students can see us as Iago’s frustratingly silent when all they want

frustratingly silent when all they want

frustratingly silent when all they want is the answer here’s the thing about

is the answer here’s the thing about

is the answer here’s the thing about Iago he doesn’t just deny us his answer

Iago he doesn’t just deny us his answer

Iago he doesn’t just deny us his answer he reaffirms our knowledge what you know

he reaffirms our knowledge what you know

he reaffirms our knowledge what you know you know what’s truly essential about

you know what’s truly essential about

you know what’s truly essential about studying literature is that recognition

studying literature is that recognition

studying literature is that recognition that you get to find the ellipses and

that you get to find the ellipses and

that you get to find the ellipses and you fill them in with your meanings

you fill them in with your meanings

you fill them in with your meanings built from your experience and knowledge

built from your experience and knowledge

built from your experience and knowledge and belief make that text reflect you

and belief make that text reflect you

and belief make that text reflect you because literature is a mirror to life

because literature is a mirror to life

because literature is a mirror to life you’ll hear that a lot what you might

you’ll hear that a lot what you might

you’ll hear that a lot what you might not hear is that it’s often a funhouse

not hear is that it’s often a funhouse

not hear is that it’s often a funhouse mirror

mirror

mirror it’s that mirror in the dressing room

it’s that mirror in the dressing room

it’s that mirror in the dressing room that’s at just the right angle it’s

that’s at just the right angle it’s

that’s at just the right angle it’s pleasurable but it’s a distortion for

pleasurable but it’s a distortion for

pleasurable but it’s a distortion for instance NPR pop culture critic Linda

instance NPR pop culture critic Linda

instance NPR pop culture critic Linda Holmes she talks about the words ever

Holmes she talks about the words ever

Holmes she talks about the words ever after as being kind of nonsense who has

after as being kind of nonsense who has

after as being kind of nonsense who has ever been happy ever after they rode off

ever been happy ever after they rode off

ever been happy ever after they rode off together and they rode off together are

together and they rode off together are

together and they rode off together are very different ways to close your book

very different ways to close your book

very different ways to close your book my next story of ellipses is an example

my next story of ellipses is an example

my next story of ellipses is an example of this second kind

of this second kind

of this second kind closing they wrote off together this is

closing they wrote off together this is

closing they wrote off together this is the movie children of men which is

the movie children of men which is

the movie children of men which is Alfonso Cuaron’s adaptation of PD

Alfonso Cuaron’s adaptation of PD

Alfonso Cuaron’s adaptation of PD James’s novel this is a dim grim

James’s novel this is a dim grim

James’s novel this is a dim grim apocalypse mankind is facing extinction

apocalypse mankind is facing extinction

apocalypse mankind is facing extinction because no babies have been born for

because no babies have been born for

because no babies have been born for decades

decades

decades there’s guy named Theo and he is

there’s guy named Theo and he is

there’s guy named Theo and he is fighting across this wasteland trying to

fighting across this wasteland trying to

fighting across this wasteland trying to get the last pregnant woman key to

get the last pregnant woman key to

get the last pregnant woman key to safety at the end of the film

safety at the end of the film

safety at the end of the film they are aboard a rowboat heading for a

they are aboard a rowboat heading for a

they are aboard a rowboat heading for a ship on the horizon we watch Theo die

ship on the horizon we watch Theo die

ship on the horizon we watch Theo die with his last gaze on ki and her newborn

with his last gaze on ki and her newborn

with his last gaze on ki and her newborn child and then we cut to black words

child and then we cut to black words

child and then we cut to black words children of men appear and we hear the

children of men appear and we hear the

children of men appear and we hear the sound of kids shrieking with laughter

sound of kids shrieking with laughter

sound of kids shrieking with laughter they rode off together but what do what

they rode off together but what do what

they rode off together but what do what do we make of this ending this is a

do we make of this ending this is a

do we make of this ending this is a hopeful rebirth has Theo whose name

hopeful rebirth has Theo whose name

hopeful rebirth has Theo whose name means God has he delivered a miraculous

means God has he delivered a miraculous

means God has he delivered a miraculous Savior through a sacred young woman is

Savior through a sacred young woman is

Savior through a sacred young woman is she the key or is the cut to black a cut

she the key or is the cut to black a cut

she the key or is the cut to black a cut to ultimate darkness after all what can

to ultimate darkness after all what can

to ultimate darkness after all what can one baby do in a dying world if nothing

one baby do in a dying world if nothing

one baby do in a dying world if nothing else

else

else Theo God has left the building and what

Theo God has left the building and what

Theo God has left the building and what is on that ship

is on that ship

is on that ship is it salvation is it imprisonment is it

is it salvation is it imprisonment is it

is it salvation is it imprisonment is it exploitation we are adrift on a sea of

exploitation we are adrift on a sea of

exploitation we are adrift on a sea of possible meanings just like he and her

possible meanings just like he and her

possible meanings just like he and her child so how do we decide what this

child so how do we decide what this

child so how do we decide what this movie means well how do you feel today

movie means well how do you feel today

movie means well how do you feel today what do you understand or believe or

what do you understand or believe or

what do you understand or believe or know about the world the power of this

know about the world the power of this

know about the world the power of this text is that it gives the power to you

text is that it gives the power to you

text is that it gives the power to you it gives you its images and emotions and

it gives you its images and emotions and

it gives you its images and emotions and ideas and you decide what to do with

ideas and you decide what to do with

ideas and you decide what to do with them what this movie means and how the

them what this movie means and how the

them what this movie means and how the world will go is up to you this is a

world will go is up to you this is a

world will go is up to you this is a huge responsibility that literature asks

huge responsibility that literature asks

huge responsibility that literature asks of its readers all the burden of

of its readers all the burden of

of its readers all the burden of interpretation and understanding is on

interpretation and understanding is on

interpretation and understanding is on your shoulders and there is no answer

your shoulders and there is no answer

your shoulders and there is no answer key to flip to

key to flip to

key to flip to literature is not a puzzle with a single

literature is not a puzzle with a single

literature is not a puzzle with a single solution and that’s because you can’t

solution and that’s because you can’t

solution and that’s because you can’t solve life by filling in the correct

solve life by filling in the correct

solve life by filling in the correct bubble the answers to the problems that

bubble the answers to the problems that

bubble the answers to the problems that life gives us they can’t be addressed in

life gives us they can’t be addressed in

life gives us they can’t be addressed in a press conference or in a soundbite and

a press conference or in a soundbite and

a press conference or in a soundbite and right now more than ever we need stories

right now more than ever we need stories

right now more than ever we need stories that do not let us brush uncertainty

that do not let us brush uncertainty

that do not let us brush uncertainty away we need stories that will confront

away we need stories that will confront

away we need stories that will confront us with our lack of knowledge and teach

us with our lack of knowledge and teach

us with our lack of knowledge and teach us not to fear the complex or the

us not to fear the complex or the

us not to fear the complex or the unknown because if we’re afraid we will

unknown because if we’re afraid we will

unknown because if we’re afraid we will have that fear used against us that’s

have that fear used against us that’s

have that fear used against us that’s why I’m happy to play Iago I will twirl

why I’m happy to play Iago I will twirl

why I’m happy to play Iago I will twirl my moustache and I will refuse to

my moustache and I will refuse to

my moustache and I will refuse to reassure my students with that single

reassure my students with that single

reassure my students with that single simple answer as it turns out Iago

simple answer as it turns out Iago

simple answer as it turns out Iago offers us the harder and the more heroic

offers us the harder and the more heroic

offers us the harder and the more heroic path because the villain in life is the

path because the villain in life is the

path because the villain in life is the one who says I have the answer the

one who says I have the answer the

one who says I have the answer the villain says I can solve your problem he

villain says I can solve your problem he

villain says I can solve your problem he says just by this thing he says it’s all

says just by this thing he says it’s all

says just by this thing he says it’s all their fault literature with all of its

their fault literature with all of its

their fault literature with all of its frustration and ellipses is what gives

frustration and ellipses is what gives

frustration and ellipses is what gives us the tools to stand up to the villains

us the tools to stand up to the villains

us the tools to stand up to the villains to say wait and think and listen a lot

to say wait and think and listen a lot

to say wait and think and listen a lot of stories do close with finality period

of stories do close with finality period

of stories do close with finality period the end and those stories can be

the end and those stories can be

the end and those stories can be satisfying and powerful but nothing in

satisfying and powerful but nothing in

satisfying and powerful but nothing in life resolves that neatly none of us

life resolves that neatly none of us

life resolves that neatly none of us gets to live in a fairy tale and anyone

gets to live in a fairy tale and anyone

gets to live in a fairy tale and anyone who suggests otherwise is selling you

who suggests otherwise is selling you

who suggests otherwise is selling you something okay that is the eat your

something okay that is the eat your

something okay that is the eat your vegetables life is tough pull your socks

vegetables life is tough pull your socks

vegetables life is tough pull your socks up get on with it side of things but I

up get on with it side of things but I

up get on with it side of things but I also want to argue for the beauty of the

also want to argue for the beauty of the

also want to argue for the beauty of the ellipses I have one more story for you

ellipses I have one more story for you

ellipses I have one more story for you and it’s the story of a gravestone the

and it’s the story of a gravestone the

and it’s the story of a gravestone the poet John Keats did not get happy ever

poet John Keats did not get happy ever

poet John Keats did not get happy ever after he was only 25 when

after he was only 25 when

after he was only 25 when he died from tuberculosis but he did

he died from tuberculosis but he did

he died from tuberculosis but he did leave the world some of its most famous

leave the world some of its most famous

leave the world some of its most famous poems think nightingales Grecian urns as

poems think nightingales Grecian urns as

poems think nightingales Grecian urns as the story goes

the story goes

the story goes what Keats wanted on his tombstone was

what Keats wanted on his tombstone was

what Keats wanted on his tombstone was the phrase here lies one whose name was

the phrase here lies one whose name was

the phrase here lies one whose name was writ in water isn’t that just like a

writ in water isn’t that just like a

writ in water isn’t that just like a poet of all the artists they understand

poet of all the artists they understand

poet of all the artists they understand the importance of silence of rests and

the importance of silence of rests and

the importance of silence of rests and breaths between beats of that lovely

breaths between beats of that lovely

breaths between beats of that lovely irreconcilable space between this image

irreconcilable space between this image

irreconcilable space between this image and that what does it mean to be rich in

and that what does it mean to be rich in

and that what does it mean to be rich in water does it mean that Keats’s name is

water does it mean that Keats’s name is

water does it mean that Keats’s name is invisible inconsequential doesn’t mean

invisible inconsequential doesn’t mean

invisible inconsequential doesn’t mean that his time on earth is as fleeting as

that his time on earth is as fleeting as

that his time on earth is as fleeting as the tide or did keith’s do something

the tide or did keith’s do something

the tide or did keith’s do something remarkable something magical

remarkable something magical

remarkable something magical did he inscribe his thoughts and his

did he inscribe his thoughts and his

did he inscribe his thoughts and his words on the face of nature itself can

words on the face of nature itself can

words on the face of nature itself can we somehow see him in every rippling

we somehow see him in every rippling

we somehow see him in every rippling stream every raindrop every wave what

stream every raindrop every wave what

stream every raindrop every wave what happened is that Keats gave this

happened is that Keats gave this

happened is that Keats gave this beautiful strange phrase to his friend

beautiful strange phrase to his friend

beautiful strange phrase to his friend Joseph Severn and Severn was me on the

Joseph Severn and Severn was me on the

Joseph Severn and Severn was me on the beach

beach

beach once upon a time he could not deal with

once upon a time he could not deal with

once upon a time he could not deal with the unsolved he erected this tombstone

the unsolved he erected this tombstone

the unsolved he erected this tombstone this grave contains all that is mortal

this grave contains all that is mortal

this grave contains all that is mortal of a young English poet who on his

of a young English poet who on his

of a young English poet who on his deathbed in the bitterness of his heart

deathbed in the bitterness of his heart

deathbed in the bitterness of his heart at the malicious power of his enemies

at the malicious power of his enemies

at the malicious power of his enemies desired these words to be engraving on

desired these words to be engraving on

desired these words to be engraving on his tombstone here lies one whose name

his tombstone here lies one whose name

his tombstone here lies one whose name was written water Severn thought he had

was written water Severn thought he had

was written water Severn thought he had the answer to Keats his mysterious

the answer to Keats his mysterious

the answer to Keats his mysterious phrase he read it as bitterness as

phrase he read it as bitterness as

phrase he read it as bitterness as despair sadness at a life cut short and

despair sadness at a life cut short and

despair sadness at a life cut short and I’m fine with sevens interpretation he

I’m fine with sevens interpretation he

I’m fine with sevens interpretation he was Keats his friend he was right there

was Keats his friend he was right there

was Keats his friend he was right there as he was dying I’m not fine but the

as he was dying I’m not fine but the

as he was dying I’m not fine but the fact that he carved it into stone I

fact that he carved it into stone I

fact that he carved it into stone I prefer the beauty of words writ in water

prefer the beauty of words writ in water

prefer the beauty of words writ in water or scrawled in the sand at low tide

or scrawled in the sand at low tide

or scrawled in the sand at low tide words that are always moving

words that are always moving

words that are always moving and changing slipping away and coming

and changing slipping away and coming

and changing slipping away and coming back to us in unexpected amazing ways

back to us in unexpected amazing ways

back to us in unexpected amazing ways once upon a time two girls stood on the

once upon a time two girls stood on the

once upon a time two girls stood on the beach they wrote the words of some dead

beach they wrote the words of some dead

beach they wrote the words of some dead guys in the sand they talked to each

guys in the sand they talked to each

guys in the sand they talked to each other and they listened to each other

other and they listened to each other

other and they listened to each other and today one of them is teaching Joyce

and today one of them is teaching Joyce

and today one of them is teaching Joyce in Shakespeare and the other is a

in Shakespeare and the other is a

in Shakespeare and the other is a playwright and it’s our job to hand out

playwright and it’s our job to hand out

playwright and it’s our job to hand out words to be deciphered debated discussed

words to be deciphered debated discussed

words to be deciphered debated discussed washed away and rewritten there are so

washed away and rewritten there are so

washed away and rewritten there are so many words life is full of words but

many words life is full of words but

many words life is full of words but it’s also full of punctuation

it’s also full of punctuation

it’s also full of punctuation leapin exclamation points interrupting

leapin exclamation points interrupting

leapin exclamation points interrupting Dash’s song lyrics are stuck in your

Dash’s song lyrics are stuck in your

Dash’s song lyrics are stuck in your head with quotation marks curled around

head with quotation marks curled around

head with quotation marks curled around them but more than anything life is full

them but more than anything life is full

them but more than anything life is full of ellipses moments of emptiness and

of ellipses moments of emptiness and

of ellipses moments of emptiness and openness indications of silence of words

openness indications of silence of words

openness indications of silence of words and voices that have been cut out

and voices that have been cut out

and voices that have been cut out repressed omitted what’s truly

repressed omitted what’s truly

repressed omitted what’s truly empowering is to recognize those spaces

empowering is to recognize those spaces

empowering is to recognize those spaces and to think about what words haven’t

and to think about what words haven’t

and to think about what words haven’t been spoken what voices haven’t been

been spoken what voices haven’t been

been spoken what voices haven’t been heard what knowledge do we still have to

heard what knowledge do we still have to

heard what knowledge do we still have to discover to celebrate the ellipses is to

discover to celebrate the ellipses is to

discover to celebrate the ellipses is to celebrate that need to think and to

celebrate that need to think and to

celebrate that need to think and to listen to each other but also to

listen to each other but also to

listen to each other but also to ourselves so what is your story of

ourselves so what is your story of

ourselves so what is your story of ellipses what will it be I have a

ellipses what will it be I have a

ellipses what will it be I have a suggestion for you for everyone whether

suggestion for you for everyone whether

suggestion for you for everyone whether you read literature or not

you read literature or not

you read literature or not the next time you find yourself on the

the next time you find yourself on the

the next time you find yourself on the beach or in the fresh snow or in front

beach or in the fresh snow or in front

beach or in the fresh snow or in front of a foggy mirror anywhere that is

of a foggy mirror anywhere that is

of a foggy mirror anywhere that is momentary ephemeral right I am and leave

momentary ephemeral right I am and leave

momentary ephemeral right I am and leave it unfinished think about that ellipses

it unfinished think about that ellipses

it unfinished think about that ellipses dot dot dot and think about

dot dot dot and think about

dot dot dot and think about all of the things that you are today all

all of the things that you are today all

all of the things that you are today all of the words that you could use in that

of the words that you could use in that

of the words that you could use in that space then imagine all of the things you

space then imagine all of the things you

space then imagine all of the things you will be someday all of the other words

will be someday all of the other words

will be someday all of the other words you might one day use I am a say

you might one day use I am a say

you might one day use I am a say powerful phrase and the most powerful

powerful phrase and the most powerful

powerful phrase and the most powerful thing is its ending which isn’t an

thing is its ending which isn’t an

thing is its ending which isn’t an ending and doesn’t need to be an ending

ending and doesn’t need to be an ending

ending and doesn’t need to be an ending because the waves will come in the snow

because the waves will come in the snow

because the waves will come in the snow will melt and will begin again tomorrow

will melt and will begin again tomorrow

will melt and will begin again tomorrow and we’ll begin differently as

and we’ll begin differently as

and we’ll begin differently as Antoinette taught me it is not about

Antoinette taught me it is not about

Antoinette taught me it is not about filling in the ellipses it’s about

filling in the ellipses it’s about

filling in the ellipses it’s about living in the ellipses thank you

living in the ellipses thank you

living in the ellipses thank you [Applause]