For Shoe Funds!

  I am supposed to be writing my Statement of Purpose for application to the Master’s program at the local college. I have the intro. written and it’s fantastic, but now as I actually get into reasons for returning to higher education, I’m at a loss.  I feel like saying, “I desperately want to get a Master’s degree because however hard it may be, I know some pretty dim people who have done it before me and let’s face it that little piece of paper is going to grant me some major shoe funds when I get a job.” or “I’m sick of stupid people and stupid bosses that know less then I do. I want a degree that ensures I will work for people who are more intelligent that I am and if that’s not possible then I will move onto my PhD and employ the buggers myself.”  

  Honestly, I just want to go back to school because I am boggled by great literature.  Why do some authors have the ability to string words together in such a way that your eyes skim over them comfortably while your mind sees images? Is there a rhythm to writing?  Does alliteration matter when the words are not being read aloud?  Do fantastic artists, like John Steinbeck study the pattern of his words or does he just think that coherently?  And once we are past the language, how are the concepts developed?  How is it that Thoreau can be so difficult to read, but so imbedded with meaning?  Did their heads spin as they wrote the sentences that spun ours? What makes a work of fiction good?  Is it a matter of opinion or is it a mathematical equation? I’m insanely interested in teaching entry level english classes.  I want to inspire people to read great literature and write great thoughts.  Will I even learn this in the program?  Surely the degree and classes I take to get it, won’t make me less prepared to teach than I am now.  So, what the heck right?  

  I should definitely finish my Purpose Statement with that sentiment.  “I want to attend the master’s program because, what the hell. It couldn’t hurt right?”