When you think of cultural icons like the late James Earl Jones and Kurt Vonnegut, one thing that stands out is their distinctive voices. Jones is instantly recognizable as Darth Vader, Mufasa, or the voice of CNN. Vonnegut, on the other hand, is known for his unique voice in novels like “Cat’s Cradle,” “Breakfast of Champions,” and “Slaughterhouse-Five” – a voice that many of us have grown up with. These two legends come together in the “Letters Live” video above, with Jones reading a letter from Vonnegut to the students of Ms. Lockwood’s English class at New York’s Xavier High School in 2006.
Vonnegut’s letter was a response to five students who had chosen him as their favorite author to write to. The message in the letter, previously read aloud by Sir Ian McKellen, emphasizes the importance of practicing any form of art, whether it’s music, singing, poetry, or painting. The goal is not fame or fortune, but rather the experience of self-discovery and growth.
The acclaimed novelist even gives the students an assignment: write a six-line rhymed poem about anything without showing it to anyone. This exercise, in Vonnegut’s eyes, is a way to explore one’s creativity and expand the soul. It’s a unique approach that encourages young people to embrace art and the process of creation.
Vonnegut’s advice may seem unconventional, but it aligns with the idea of taking risks and exploring one’s inner self through art. It’s a departure from the standard advice on writing, focusing more on the personal journey of creative expression.
So, the next time you’re feeling uninspired, take a page out of Vonnegut’s book and dance home from school, sing in the shower, or make faces in your mashed potatoes. Embrace your creativity and let your soul grow.
Related Content:
– James Earl Jones (RIP) Reads Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven” and Walt Whitman’s “Song of Myself”
– James Earl Jones Reads “Othello” at White House Poetry Jam
– Darth Vader’s Voice: The Original Voice Versus the Vocals of James Earl Jones
– Kurt Vonnegut Urges Young People to Make Art and “Make Your Soul Grow”
Based in Seoul, Colin Marshall writes and broadcasts on cities, language, and culture. His projects include the Substack newsletter Books on Cities and the book The Stateless City: a Walk through 21st-Century Los Angeles. Follow him on Twitter at @colinmarshall or on Facebook.
