Gee & the Discourse

Gee brings up the word discourse, which at first, I wasn't sure what it meant. Until I read the article I didn't know that what the action of "discourse" was, but I had my own experience of it. Gee describes the word discourse and Discourse (with a capital D) as two words and two different definitions. To him Discourse is, "A sort of 'identity kit' which comes complete with the appropriate costume and instructions on how to act, talk and often write, so as to take on a particular role others will recognize," (Gee 526). By recognize, I think this means accept. People put on a different "identity kit" in all kinds of different situations so they can be accepted.

I think everyone can relate to this type of having to "fit into" situations that you feel the need to be accepted. I have had to fit into many Discourses coming to college itself. Being put into a whole new environment with people all around you of which you don't know, makes you need to find a way to relate to others and find a way to be accepted by others around you. In my situation I joined the swim team here, and I remember the first night I met everyone. I was from a town nobody had heard of and where no one on the team already was from. I knew of a few people on the team but not personally. It was hard to be myself for the first few months because I was too scared to not be accepted for the loud outgoing person I know I am. I just molded myself to become what I thought the team would accept. I eventually opened up to my close friends on the team, and now this year coming back to school I feel that I am not scared anymore. Even though everyone, especially me, have to sometimes change our Discourse to feel like we "fit in" it is just a part of normal life.

I can somewhat agree with Gee's definition of literacy being the mastery of or fluent control over a secondary Discourse. Because to be literate, or being able to read and write, it is important to know what people want to hear or read as well. But I don't exactly agree that is what makes you literate, just being able to have mastery of a second discourse. Any one person can be literate in their own way. Whether you watch, read, or write literature you can interpret it and that is literacy. But just being able to fit into another discourse doesn't mean you "mastered literacy." I don't believe that anyone can "master" literacy, it is just something you can or can't do. After reading this article I don't feel that my opinion on literacy has changed, I'd just say it is Gee's opinion from his life experiences, just like everyone else has theirs.