tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7213979190640858720.post7920882699379637440..comments2023-07-29T04:36:35.274-07:00Comments on Literary and Cultural Criticism at Wabash (2011): Chapel SingAgata Brewerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276419816240130630noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7213979190640858720.post-75245553861547662422011-03-14T21:03:14.968-07:002011-03-14T21:03:14.968-07:00Viewing Chapel Sing as an event in which power cha...Viewing Chapel Sing as an event in which power changes hands is rather interesting. I would argue that this is to a degree true and an aspect that I had not previously given much thought to; however I feel that to some degree the history of the event as well as the college needs to be addressed. You are correct in your contention that currently the event gives power to upperclassmen that they may not have otherwise had. But historically Chapel Sing was simply one more way by which freshmen had to prove themselves worthy of being Wabash men. If you recall, in an earlier time period all freshmen on campus had to wear small red and green felt hats (“pots”). This in and of itself was an act of power exchange and submission on behalf of freshman; when a freshman put his pot on he was marking himself as different. Chapel Sing was but another activity that the freshmen used to do as a way of proving themselves. Today the event is completely voluntary, thus diminishing the submission aspect of Chapel Sing. It is my opinion that today Chapel Sing is but a fleeting reminder of the history, and a constant reminder, to those who know the history, that things are easier today than they used to be in the past.Arjun Kumarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02846439182720120494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7213979190640858720.post-25004091168980632492011-03-12T11:11:07.046-08:002011-03-12T11:11:07.046-08:00This is an interesting way to view Chapel Sing. I ...This is an interesting way to view Chapel Sing. I would argue that by willingly submitting themselves to this competition, the participants are not giving power to the upperclassmen, rather they are submitting to the time honored tradition of Wabash College and it's historic fight song "Old Wabash." It is the song for which they must memorize, and master, it is not a person they must master or appease. It is simply that they must memorize a song and sing it correctly. By doing so they are paying tribute to the school and all that it stands for. This is another way for the young men of the college to put themselves out there and prove themselves worthy to be a Wabash man. Not saying that this is a right way to view it, but i feel it is a better way than saying that they are submitting power to upperclassmen. In no way are they giving them power by singing the school song. If anything they are giving more power to the school and the song for which they so arduously practice and memorize. It is for the pride of the school, not the pride of an upperclassmen.Samhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06642275958522618394noreply@blogger.com