Iannuccilli: Learning is a Delicacy

Monday, February 04, 2019

Dr. Ed Iannuccilli, Columnist

 

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Dr. Ed Iannuccilli, Columnist

I was asked to give a class on writing to sophomores at The Met School in Providence a while back.  Having never given a writing class before, I was a bit puzzled.

Should I be pedantic and recite a litany of the importance of being able to write well … success comes through learning new skills, attitudes, etc. Perhaps not. Too boring. So I decided to tell them of a learning experience in my junior high school English class of years ago.

Our teacher introduced us to poetry by reading “Casey at the Bat.” I loved the poem, loved Casey and became entranced with her recital. I was stunned when she reached the ending, “But there is no joy in Mudville–mighty Casey has "Struck Out."

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I blurted “He struck out!”

“Yes, Edward. Calm down. He struck out.” I suspect that was the moment when I realized the power of the written word; my learning moment.

I read “Casey” to the class and told my story. They laughed. I reassured them that there was a sequel, “Casey’s Revenge” and that the results were different.

 I asked the class, “What does learning mean to you?” I was not prepared for this answer.

“Learning is a delicacy.” I paused to look at the confident young lady with her smiling, wide-eyed, enthusiastic expression.

“A delicacy?" I asked.

“Yes.”

“I love it,” I said. “But what do you mean?”

“I just love to learn. It’s like dessert.”

I needed some time. I read a story from my book. The class was momentarily silent, and then they asked questions.

“Why did you write a book?”

“How many did you sell?’

“Did it make you feel good?”

“How did you remember all those things?”

“Tell us about becoming a doctor.”

I said to the class, “What a treat to be in school. How very lucky to learn just for the sake of learning. Savor every moment” I reflected on those days of not listening enough, wanting to get out to do other things, sports for example.

This young lady had already realized what I learned later in life. Dessert.

Recently, I decided to re-read some of the classics that I did not appreciate as I should have in earlier years. I started with Dostoevsky’s “Brothers Karamazov.” It took one year to read. I moved on to “Moby Dick.” Another year. Then “Great Expectations.” Less time. Every page, every inch of text was worth it.

I remember the days when these assignments were a chore. Would that those years were back when I had a teacher to guide me.

To be able to learn for the sake of learning itself. To be able to enjoy the classics, history, sociology, religion, geography and languages just because you can is a treasure; an experience like no other.

The hour sped by. I wish I had more time. I hoped they did also.

“A delicacy,” she said.

Yes, indeed. We should never forget it.

“Learning is a delicacy.”

 

Ed Iannuccilli is the author of "Growing up Italian" and "What Ever Happened to Sunday Dinner?" and both books can be found here.

 

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