Professor of Mass Media and Chair of the Department of Media and Visual Arts at Baker University Dr. Joe Watson presents the works and life of American novelist Ernest Hemingway at this year’s Swogger Literary Salon. In regards to these salons, the event has only taken place on Baker’s campus for the past couple of years. Being the 5th faculty member to speak at the Swogger Literary Salon, has given insight on his journey in developing the perfect presentation on Hemingway.
Watson explained that his process in preparing for this year’s salon was very interesting.
“I’ve known for a year and a half that I was going to do it. But I really intensely started planning for in the past 3 or 4 months,” Watson said. “Seeing what other faculty have done, they’ve all been similar but different.”
Watson goes on to explain that he has used the previous works of his staff members as a reference or model for how he should conduct his presentation on Hemingway.
“I’ve managed to put together a presentation that not only tells people about Ernest Hemingway as a person, but will dive into the specifics of some of the books he’s written, and why people would maybe want to read them,” Watson said.
Watson was asked about his personal feelings towards Hemingway and his novels. Watson heavily admired Hemingway’s writing style. Recognizing Hemingway’s background as a journalist, Watson claims to share a connection with the author, given Watson’s background in the journalism world as well.
“All the rules that media majors are taught about short writing, brief sentences, and vivid language, he has all of that,” Watson said.
Watson went on to explain that there are many people who did not realize Hemingway’s experience in short-story writing. The majority of these writings, according to Watson, are very crass and uncomfortably truthful.
“Everything I’ve ever read from Hemingway, there’s something about it that just ends like a punch in the gut. He doesn’t shy away from the nasty parts of life, nor sugarcoat things,” Watson said.
Hemingway lived a very rough-edged life, and the stories he wrote were flooded with the harshest aspects of life. Watson claims this alone, is enough to captivate others about Hemingway’s lifestyle, before he eventually passed from suicide in July of 1961.
“If something is bad, he treats it as bad. If there’s a bad outcome, he doesn’t try and soften it. I’m really just attracted to that truth. I mean, he was a pretty troubled guy. Although he lived an incredible life and did incredible things, he made some pretty bad choices,” Watson said.
Watson acknowledged that his usual audience in a classroom setting will be much different in comparison with the audience attending this year’s literary salon.
“I know this will be different for me,” Watson said. “The way I’m doing the salon isn’t my favorite style, but I think it’s necessary”.
Watson realizes the content of his presentation can be sensitive, but that will not block his intentions of being truthful, like Hemingway.
“I won’t be bubbly. I’m going to be talking about some pretty dark stuff, so that’s hard to do” Watson said.
Due to the content, Watson himself was an advocate for issuing out trigger warnings in emails prior to his presentation.
Watson’s confidence in his public speaking was also recognized. Watson stated his change in tone was extremely important to convey the message and writings of Hemingway. Watson hopes that others look into the life of Hemingway and see, that even in his trials and rough spans, he in fact deserves the title of one of the greatest authors who have lived.
