Lit Chat

Inspiration for being human.

Absurdity, Juxtaposition, Global Vision, Spring

Thursday July 2, 2026

Happy Thursday humans! Here is this week's literary inspiration for being human...

Let's consider absurdity...

"mountain language" by Öykü Tekten is built around an absurd image: an army that "bombed a truck full of black umbrellas sent... against the tyranny of rain." Tekten juxtaposes an absurd decree—"black umbrellas are no longer allowed in the mountains"—with a series of staccato sentences that accentuate the contrast between what is no longer allowed versus what is: "hats are. guns are. gods are. the trees are offensive to the sky." The juxtaposition of long versus short sentences highlights the contrast, which in turn makes the absurdity of outlawing and destroying umbrellas that much more apparent.

Socially-ingrained absurdity plagues us in many ways, and in Woman Outside the City I use juxtaposition to explore some of the absurdities we live with on a daily basis. 

What absurdities have you come across lately? What aspects of modern society seem absurd? How can you use juxtaposition to highlight the absurdity?

Let's discuss juxtaposition...

I recently viewed an artistic film that relies on juxtaposition through montage to expose absurdity. The Hour of the Dog by Sir John Akomfrah—on exhibit at The Menil Institute in Houston—juxtaposes documentary footage from the civil rights movement with surreal, contemporary cinematic shots that feel like still life compositions in which time is suspended. The juxtaposition highlights the amount of patience, discipline, resilience, determination, coordination, collaboration, and commitment it took to execute an effective protest movement that would make it abundantly clear how absurd it is to deny someone else's humanity on the basis of skin color.

In a previous Lit Chat post about the "third thing" phenomenon, I described how juxtaposition can help us see a new idea or see a brand new perspective. A quote from Michelle White, curator of Akomfrah's The Hour of the Dog, perfectly captures the way juxtaposition can reveal a new idea or perspective:

"The juxtaposition of disparate fragments provides new ways of seeing. 'When things collide,' Akomfrah said, 'a new form emerges.'"

What disparate fragments can you bring together? What new idea or perspective does it reveal for you?

Let's discuss global vision...

"What is my new map of self and world?" 

—"House Cleaning" in Woman Outside the City

If supremacy of any one group or nation feels immoral, in what ways do you want to embrace a more global view of humanity? Are you considering learning another language? Learning about another culture? Visiting another country? Reading literature by writers around the world?

Let's listen to spring...

You Are Spring! by Tasha captures the feeling of tranquility and renewal that characterizes spring. Amidst the chaotic feel of modern daily life, this album brings a sense of calm and hope. 

What brings you a sense of calm and hope? What songs, poems, or works of art convey this feeling for you? Can you create your own poetry and works of art that reflect your idea of hope and peace?