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Brittney L. Rees

Mrs. Tamera Davis

Honors Literature TR 10:30

12/04/2019

Brittney LeAnne Barnum-Rees: My Personal Canon

One of the most bright things in my memory as a child is my Grandfather telling me that;

“You should only stop trying to learn if you are dead; because if you stop learning you may as

well be already.” This combined with my love of books that was fostered by my Grandmother

due to her working in Acquisitions for the Seattle Library, has made me always turn to books in

time of need. Literature has carried me through some extremely tough times in my life as I was

growing up and has given me an escape and many free vacations where I just lose myself in my

wonder of the new surroundings. Literature for me is a fresh breath of life and never disappoints,

even if I may disagree with an ending I prefer to believe that just as I got what I needed out of

the story, the writer and characters got exactly what they needed even if you think something

may have been better.

I believe choosing a career in medicine has been influenced by my love for literature and

learning. That my desire to open possibilities for others that they had not dreamed of is very

readily compared to that of reading a book and embarking on an adventure you will not ever

forget. I desire to make other’s feel the love for life that I feel when I open the cover of a book

and smell its pages for the first time.

A Daydream by Emily Bronte

Written in 1846, this poem to me speaks to me differently every time I read it. This was

written under Emily Bronte’s Non-De-Plume; Ellis Bell in Poems. Most currently it reminds me

to be happy when I am frustrated with how others are being so frivolous with their wants and

cares instead of focusing on the problems that need fixing. It reminds me to be happy for them,

for they can have a ferocity for life that many cannot.

A Pocket of Silence by Barbara C. Freeman

Written in 1978, this was one of the first books my Grandmother Sidney ever gave me.

Little did she know it would be the book that spoke to me the most as I grew up alone and not

knowing or ever feeling as if I belonged anywhere. This book follows a young girl who lives

with her uncle and is not loved and the adventures and friends she finds along the way. It is a

lovely tale of coming of age, independence, the dark disparity of reality and how regardless of

your limitations that you can always make a difference in someone’s life and to never doubt

yourself.

Charlotte’s Web by Joseph Robinette; performed by The Seattle Ballet

This was the first ever ballet I went to go see with my grandparents. I will never forget

how my breath was taken away upon seeing a human-sized Charlotte weave and write on a giant

web that reached from the floor to the top of the stage curtains. The Seattle Ballet still performs

this play at the Second Story Repertory in Redmond, Washington. Even if you do not have

young children, it will revive and retell the children’s classic in a way you could never imagine.
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The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway

Written in 1926 this novel follows the adventures of American and British expatriates as

they travel to see the running of the bulls from Paris. It always makes me want to run away and

open a coffee shop anywhere I have never been and just write my little heart out.

Where the Red Fern Grows by James Whitmore

This was published in 1974 and I was lucky enough to read it as a young girl in 4th grade.

My college level reading teacher introduced me to this book, and it only made my love for

animals and belief of their impact grow even stronger. This is one of those that if you do not cry

while reading it or after, you may not in fact have a soul.

Wanna Have Fun performed by Cyndi Lauper

This song always was played by my grandmother when I would feel down about having

to do the monotony of everyday adulting. It became a habit to listen to it while cleaning and

never fails to make me smile due to the memories it brings with it.

The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

Published in 1950, this series instilled a sense of wonder and appreciation for all things

fantastical at a young age. Contrary to popular belief, C.S. Lewis did not mean for this to be

taken as an allegorical novel. This was meant to be an escape for children and the theme that

arose portraying Christian aspects was purely suppositional.

Merlin (T.V. Series) Directed by Julian Jones

This T.V. Series is one of my favorites. It retells the story of the great magician Merlin as

a coming of age story filled with wonder and growing pains. The main character has a naturally

witty charm and is almost an underdog story. It ran from 2008 to 2014 until it was not renewed.

The story was wrapped up and in true Merlin style made you want and wonder more.

It’s My Party Directed by Randall Keiser

This Film was recorded in 1996 and directed by Randall Keiser. This film follows a

gentleman who has been diagnosed with HIV and his decision to end his life before it gets to

bad. It was one of the first films that introduced to me the difficulties of losing someone you

love. While I had lost people being in my life, I had never witnessed an illness take someone

before. This along with losing my grandmother has made me a big advocate for death with

dignity.

Pollyanna Directed by David Swift

This film was released in 1960, it follows a young girl who has no family due to a

tragedy. It begins with her new life and shows how regardless of how bad things are she always

keeps her head up and smiles. This was one of the few movies I could watch growing up after I

was adopted. Now I always smile when my other half calls me “a Pollyanna”. I used to see that

as an insult when I was younger as if people were saying I could not see the truth. But after

reconnecting with mt Grandparents and my Grandfather stating how proud he was of me for

keeping my “Pollyanna attitude”; I can gladly say I am proud of the fact that I have managed to

not get jaded even with all the experiences I have had.
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The Last Unicorn Directed by Arthur Rankin and Jules Bass

This Japanese Animated film was produced in 1982. It follows the story of a young

Unicorn who is told she is the last by a Butterfly. It follows her journey to discover what

happened to the rest of her kind and her eventual journey as a woman. As she journeys’ people

only see a pretty white mare, as if they do not know what a Unicorn is. When turned into a

woman she starts forgetting what and who she is. One of her line’s that is memorable for me is;

“Once I was searching, once I was innocent and white, now that I am a woman everything has

changed.” For me this was about the loss of innocence of childhood and the yearning of one that

is too young to grow up too fast. A lesson in not rushing growing up if you will, that my

Grandmother gave me when she had me watch this. I seized my innocence and naivety and still

enjoy being young and holding onto that thirst for knowledge most lose after childhood.

The Princess Bride Directed by Rob Reiner

This film was produced in 1987 by Warner Brothers Productions. To me this film is a

classic. It has love, adventure, scandal, pirates and poison all held together with enough action

and comedy to satisfy the pickiest man. Ironically it is the film that set my absurdly high

standards for romance and life full of vigor. This is a must watch for the whole family.

The Three Questions by Nikolaievitch Leon Tolstoy

This was written by Tolstoy in 1962. He stated that this was his favorite writing and I can

see why. It spoke to me on the cycle and interconnectivity of current, future and past events. It

perfectly makes you ask if it is possible that everything has happened before. Makes you wonder

if we in fact have our stories and faith from some almost forgotten memory that is an instinct to
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do better the next time due to events happening as they already have. It can be a bit difficult read

and some say it seems like heresy, I however find it beautiful, for it tastefully make you ask the

hard questions.

These are all representations of literature and how it has influenced my character at its

core. They show different ways to overcome, ways to maintain wonder, magic and how to be

true to yourself. These are all things a young girl must learn to be successful as an independent

woman. These are all things a young boy must also learn if he wants to become an independent

and compassionate man while still being strong and respected. It is not exactly all one flavor, but

I believe that would be quite boring if it was.

Works Cited

Bronte, Emily. "A Daydream." 1846.

Charlotte's Web. By Joseph Robinette. Perf. Seattle Ballet. Second Story Repertory, Redmond.

2001.

Freeman, Barbara. A Pocket of SIlence. Dutton, 1978.

Hemingway, Ernest. The Sun Also Rises. 1926.

It's My Party. Dir. Randal Keiser. Perf. Basil Poledouris and Olivia Newton-John. 1996.

James, Whitmore. Where The Red Fern Grows. UAV Corp., 1974.

Lauper, Cyndi. "Wanna Have Fun." 1998.

Lewis, C. S. The Chronicles of Narnia. London: Geoffrey Bles (books 1–5); The Bodley Head

(books 6–7); HarperCollins (current; worldwide), 1950.

Merlin (TV Series). Dir. Julian Jones. 2008.

Pollyanna. Dir. David Swift. 1960.

The Last Unicorn. Dirs. Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass. 1982.

The Princess Bride. Dir. Rob Reiner. 1987.

Tolstoï, Nikolaïevitch Léon. The Three Questions. 1962.