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Introspection and Reflection

Oral

The oral culture lacks introspection. Its characters come across as uncomplicated, unselfconscious, spontaneous, action-oriented, and who expect to be directed by forces outside of themselves (Ong 30, 69-70).

Examples

Benny: Man, this is baseball. You gotta stop thinking. Just have fun. Did you ever have a paper route?
Smalls: I helped a guy once.
Benny: Throw it like you'd do with a newspaper. When your arm reaches here, just let go. [starts to jog away]
Smalls: How do I catch it?
Benny: Just stand out there and stick your glove out in the air. I'll take care of it.

-- The Sandlot

Briseis: Why did you choose this life?
Achilles: What life?
Briseis: To be a great warrior.
Achilles: I chose nothing. I was born and this is what I am.

--Troy

Literate

The writers in a literate culture create characters that are complex, profoundly reflective, introspective, analytic, and sooner or later, active in shaping the direction of their lives.

Example

May get caught up in the paralysis of analysis. Think Hamlet - "To be or not to be, that is the question, for is it nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous misfortune or to take up arms against the sea of troubles by opposing them. To die, to sleep, no more ..."

 

Exception: Primally-strong emotions trigger a default back to the oral mode.

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