cliterature

I will warn you know that this post will not be anywhere near as titillating as you might hope, based on the title.  I have been at work for the last two days, overnight in a hotel (so no time for a research blog topic today, just some rambling from yours truly).  Today I was talking four and a half hours, to an audience of pretty highly qualified people.  There is a part of me that is always somewhat surprised that anyone listens to what I say, or that they buy my books, or read my blogs.  And as I was taking a break and looking at some Chicago snow I was thinking about two reasons for this.

These days pride is considered a good thing, and self-esteem.  But humility is too.  Historically both pride and vainglory were considered deadly sins, but when the final seven were chose vainglory was out.  (On a side note I have always thought that vainglory is the kind of sin that would have really resented this and spent the subsequent fourteen centuries grumble about how much better he is than pride).  When I chose my pen name of Veinglory I really did not put a lot of deliberate thought into it.  I used the name initially as an information online name–something to separate my work activities from more informal online chat.  I have always liked the word vainglory, to the modern ear there is a natural tension that has ground between vain and glorious and the whole thing rolls sinfully of the tongue.  The alternative spelling is due to little more that the fact vainglorywas taken as a hotmail account name, and I was writing a vampire novel at the time.

And coming from New Zealand I had extra training in humility, as the culture is focused on leveling people out and making sure everyone gets a far go–even if that means holding back some of the front runners.  This is sometimes called the “Tall Poppy Syndrome”.   The saying (with an interesting classical origin) is that the poppy that grows tallest is most likely to have its head knocked off.  This is often spoken off as a cultural failing, stopping people from taking credit that is due and crippling their motivation to excel.  And such cultural humility tend to fall in double doses on women who are already encouraged to be sweet and nurturing rather than bold and entrepreneurial.

That said, I don’t actually see a cultural emphasis in humility as a problem.  Because although I am somewhat surprised and grateful to be heeded, I do not undervalue myself or my achievements.  I am highly qualified, when I open my mouth I have something to say that is novel, substantive and that I sincerely believe.  I write well.  I almost said “quite well”, but in my own private opinion the qualifier is not needed.  I have never felt held back in what I achieve, or devalued in my worth, just because I hesitate to sing my own praises and am acutely grateful for recognition I received from others.

And to the extent this is also a traditional feminine trait, that does not necessarily make it inferior to more assertive ways (in men or in women).  When there are both men and women with a range of personality types in power, humility will not be an obstacle to success any more than it is to achievement. (Indeed, one could argue that it is more crippling to raised children with the idea that is bragging is not allowed, and andevor is not worth doing–that it, confusing self-praise with self-worth.  Ultimately shouldn’t we be doing a thing because it is a thing worth doing for its own sake and taking most of our pleasure from that).

My audience appreciated what I did, my colleagues and my (female) boss noted and commented favorably.  I didn’t need to strain my neck upwards when those I work with are happy to give me a boost–as I am more than happy to recognise their skills, hard work and achievements.  I am not a poppy knocker, but I also feel no desire to be the tallest poppy in he field if that means blocking anyone else’s access to the sun.

Trackback URI | Comments RSS