"The Monument and the Bungalow" Response

After I read "The Monument and the Bungalow" by Pierce Lewis, I realized how much I really do dismiss my surroundings. I never take a minute to look at the architecture of buildings, or just ask why objects were placed where they were placed. I mean I have seen historical monuments and museums many times before and I do love to look, explore and learn about each place, but I never pay attention to the commonplaces. It is so interesting how most of us do not pay attention to our surroundings, because we are so caught up in our busy lives.

Pierce Lewis has two precepts in learning how to read landscape: learning to open your eyes and ask questions about your surroundings, and developing a vocabulary to describe places in better detail. The first precept actually teaches you to see commonplaces in a new light. Like Lewis described, it probably would be a little awkward to have to feel the texture of certain objects while out in public, just because it is not something one sees everyday. But, if going out and observing parking lots or feeling the side of Safeway will help me see the world in a different way, I just might do it. With the second precept, one has to develop a good vocabulary to describe specific places. For example, Lewis saying that in plant ecology one has to learn the different species of plant. If one has a better vocabulary, they will be able to know what things are and be able to explain things a lot better. I know that when I was in anthropology last semester, it was all about having a good vocabulary. I had to know the different types of ceramics they made, where they came from and what time period. So, a good vocabulary will not only help you with reading landscape, but with many other things as well.

"The Monument and the Bungalow" has given me something to look forward to. I am now going to look at all my commonplaces in a completely different way. Hopefully the next time I go to store, I will remember to feel the texture of the metal cart inside my gripped hands, and ask the question, "why does it look that way?"