#080: Benjamin Hutchinson — Writing & Reading as Tools for a Meaningful Life, Writing Big Idea Nonfiction, Learning from Literary Greats
Oct 28, 2023
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Prize-winning essayist Benjamin Hutchinson talks about how reading and engaging with literature can help us live more fully. He shares lessons on living well from literary greats and tips for becoming better readers. They also discuss the German poet Rilke and the importance of rhythm and momentum in writing.
Engaging with literature can help us live more fully and purposefully.
Reading and writing poetry can evoke emotions and develop critical thinking skills.
Finding your own voice as a writer is crucial in creating enjoyable and meaningful writing.
Deep dives
Discovering the joy of reading and writing
As a child, Benjamin Hutchinson developed a love for reading that evolved into a desire to write. He found himself drawn to literature as a means of self-discovery and expressing his thoughts. His interest in European literature grew during his adolescence, and he pursued it seriously in his studies. He realized that literature played a vital role in shaping his understanding of the world and his own life. This realization led him to become a professor of European literature and embark on a career centered around writing and teaching.
Exploring the meaning of literature and life
Benjamin Hutchinson's book, 'On Purpose: Ten Lessons on the Meaning of Life,' delves into the significance of literature in finding purpose. He highlights two styles of writing: entertainment-focused, driven by plot, and reflective, which deepens our understanding of life. Hutchinson believes that literature serves as a map for personal meaning and purpose, offering beauty and challenging ideas. He emphasizes the value of reading and writing poetry, as it can evoke emotions and thoughts that stick with us long after reading. He encourages readers to engage with literature on a deeper level and develop their imaginative and critical thinking skills.
Letting literature guide personal development
Benjamin Hutchinson's research on various writers, like Rilke and Goethe, has revealed that many artists undergo significant personal and creative transformations throughout their lives. He emphasizes the importance of embracing change and allowing literature to shape personal growth. Hutchinson suggests that readers and writers should move beyond seeking surface-level entertainment and instead explore the profound questions posed by literature. By acknowledging the organic process of creativity and research, individuals can enhance their understanding of literature's role in personal development and finding meaning in life.
Finding your own voice
One of the key lessons discussed in the podcast is the importance of finding your own voice as a writer. The speaker emphasizes that owning the way we speak and write, as well as the way we dress and move, is crucial in taking ownership of our lives. Developing a distinct voice allows writers to connect with readers on a deeper level and articulates bigger questions about what it means to read and be alive. The speaker shares their personal journey in finding their voice, which involved transitioning from academic writing to a more engaging and relaxed style that seeks a broader audience. They emphasize the importance of balancing knowledge and personal expression to create enjoyable and meaningful writing.
The 10 lessons from the book
The podcast highlights the 10 lessons discussed in the speaker's book. These lessons include pursuing pleasure in the knowledge that it is transient, being the hero of your own life, imagining other angles, escaping the tyranny of the present moment, speaking truth to power but speaking it slant, failing again to fail better, forgetting everything you have read, finding joy and pleasure in writing and in life, and finding your own rhythm. The speaker explains that these lessons were carefully selected to convey the reasons why we read and the meaning of literature. They encourage readers to engage with diverse perspectives and explore the balance between knowledge and personal experience.
Prize-winning essayist, literary critic, and professor of European literature Ben Hutchinson, author of On Purpose: Ten Lessons on the Meaning of Life, on how reading and meaningfully engaging with literature can help us live more fully—and more purposefully. Plus, lessons on living well from the literary greats, tips for becoming better readers and ways for writers to know they’re on the right path. We also talk about the German poet Rilke.
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ABOUT BENJAMIN HUTCHINSON
Ben Hutchinson is an award-winning essayist, critic and professor of European literature. He is the author of seven books, including The Midlife Mind and Comparative Literature: A Very Short Introduction. His writing appears regularly in the national and international press.
