In episode #16 of the Schwarzman Center web series, One, English major Jared Newman YC’20 talks with Laurie Gomez YC’22 about his senior thesis project in creative writing. His poetry anthology, entitled The Wisconsin Glacier, explores a breakage from life as we know it, confronting the influences of boredom, distraction, and attention – themes especially relevant in a time of physical distance.
As a creative writer, Newman has come into his own with guidance from 2020 Nobel Laureate and Yale professor Louise Glück. He has learned that, “Poetry is one way to express things that need expression… It’s vengeful in that the expression is the only route of action.” In this way, Newman’s thesis project strikes against circumstances otherwise difficult to articulate.
Newman is reminded that poetry can be a way to pay attention to the details in one’s life. He illuminates that “boredom can be a very valuable thing when we live in a world of distraction.” Furthermore, he urges audiences to write down their thoughts as often as they can find focus amid distraction.