Naomi Baron. The Art and Science of Handwriting
Baron takes us on a journey through the history of handwriting in this essay. Handwriting as a societal issue began with professionals. Doctors, Lawyers and Clergy were the most obvious group of people using handwriting in their trade, the next group was ladies, gentlemen and their secretaries. Baron points out that the third group was most influential in paving the way to our modern understanding of handwriting. Employees in commerce were a widely growing group. New jobs were being created, jobs in which writing was a needed skill. Copy writing was the first method in which these laborers learned the skill. These people were not writing as a means of getting a point across, they were simply copying the works of others. Eventually the practice of copy write became a useful tool in understanding the shapes they were writing. Handwriting then became a method in which to define class. Proper handwriting was not necessarily a sign of upper class status. People with better handwriting were considered lower class. Aristocrats in France in fact created a form of illegible handwriting to separate themselves. It was during this time that handwriting was used to differentiate not only classes but people themselves. Handwriting was used to find prospective spouses, criminals, and employees. Soon after handwriting began to be considered mechanical, this would change it into a science. People did not consider handwriting as a discipline until the mid to late 19th century when Platt Rogers Spencer began "coaching" the science of handwriting through commands and instruction. This was called Spencerian. Later in the century another American eschewed Spencer's method and focused on another style of writing. Norman Palmer focused less on the beauty of the handwriting and more on the eligibility, and usability of the penmanship saying that "no attempt is made to make the penmanship more beautiful than is consistent with utility."1 There is a question as to whether Spencer and Palmer actually improved handwriting.
It is interesting in a essay about the history of handwriting that actual intelligence never comes up. Sure there is mention of social status, but when referring to high social status it is said they had poor handwriting. The argument now is whether handwriting will become obsolete and how that will affect our intelligence. It is my opinion that the discipline behind handwriting can be applied the same way to type. As young children we learn to read and write. I learned denealon, then cursive, I do not use either in my handwriting, I use a combination. I do not think it will hinder us as a people to focus less on penmanship. I do think time needs to be spent learning the shapes of letters. It would be impossible to read without the memory of letter shape. The things we read are most often not written but typed. If I wanted to read ancient scripture I would not look to yellowed parchment; I would look to Google. If each of us has unique handwriting then what is the point in learning one specific style of penmanship, we will never see it on paper the same way twice.
1. From the works of A.N. Palmer sited in-T.P. Thornton. Handwriting in America. (New York: Yale University Press. 1996
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4 comments:
I liked how you went in time order. My only concern is that there are still people (my grandmother and doctors for example) who have to write free hand without a computer. Maybe, though their handwriting is difficult to read, we should still rely less on the computer all of the time.
Greetings,
Your summary is very clear and it appears that you have a solid understanding of what Naomi Baron is writing about the art and science of handwriting. It is apparent that you "don't see the art of handwriting as... the mirror of our souls". (54) I think handwriting like many hand to paper techniques is an expression of art. Handwriting is similiar to watercoloring or drawing. I enjoy handwritng. If I'm writing a friend a letter I put great effort to perfect every stroke. With most arts the more you practice the more you develop an appreciation for it.
Baron cites what Tamara Thorton stated "that people that wrote beyond copying were the elite social power and class". I respectfully disagree with your idea that the lower class had better handwriting skills.
Handwritng is still very important and a vehicle of art in my life.
I can't get my writing 'grove' started well unless I sit down with a pen and paper. My ideas seem to flow more coherently through handwriting. This comment is an example, it has been difficult because I'm using the computer to try to write. It takes me much more time than a handwritten comment with paper and pen. The old technique of writing.
I agree with the others I felt your blog was well written. I also liked how you talked about handwriting and how it is relevant in our society today. I feel we should keep the tradition of teaching handwriting but only make it contemporary. Even though there are computers we still need to focus on reading and writing. If you had to write a note to someone or send a post card to a family member you would still need to write with proper penmanship.
I agree that handwriting is an art. Everyone has their own form of writing. Everyone has many different ways of communicating. Whether it is writing, typing or drawing. Everyoned should be open-minded to everyoneds style.
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