Peter John Waugh: A first year survivor
No, dear readers, it is not a myth. It is not just another lie our parents tell us, like Santa Clause, so that we will behave. There is most definitely such a thing as a first year survivor. There are people out there who have managed to find a way to enjoy their first year without falling off of the balancing beam and landing in shark infested water. This profile on Peter John Waugh, one of those survivors, will hopefully shed some reflective light from the other side of first year. Since my blog deals with politics, religion and sexuality and the issues that accompany them at Rhodes Peter John (P.J.) was the ideal candidate. As a gay man P.J. is able to give us an inside look into what life at Rhodes is like not only as a first year but as a gay first year. As the politically correct generation that we are we tend to overlook issues that may arise because of sexual orientation. Rhodes University appears, from the outside, to be very accepting but you first years or future first years may want to know whether this is true. This profile will hopefully give you the balanced story of a survivor of first year at Rhodes.
Everybody who has met Peter John Waugh has an opinion about him. Whether it is good or bad P.J. makes an impression. His theatrical demeanour and honesty make him a fun interviewee. He is relaxed on the couch at Cow Moon Theory smoking hubbly with a mutual acquaintance as he waits for the interview to begin. “It has been an emotional roller coaster ride.” He says thoughtfully when asked to describe his first year at Rhodes. He goes on to say that although it started off placidly it has been a journey that has helped him grow a lot as a human being. This past year has been the best and the worst time of his life. To P.J. the best thing about Rhodes is the people. Each person contributes a little to your life and every conversation that you have has the potential to change your perspective. When asked whether it is possible to live a balanced life as a first year he says, “It depends on how you define ‘balanced’”. He thinks that is possible but it would not be easy at all. As a first year you are thrown into a new dynamic and an entirely different lifestyle to living at home. Finding that thing, that balances, that works would be a great struggle in first year.
Everybody has heard of a thing called “hazing” but according to P.J. it does not exist at Rhodes unless he is missing something. Being a first year is better to a certain extent because people are more willing to help you. Second and third years remember what it was like being confused and new to University life and therefore want to help you become more comfortable and relaxed.
When asked whether Rhodes is as “gay friendly” as it is made out to be P.J. becomes quite serious. He thinks that it really is. Although you get the odd “Jock” mentality in certain “bad bubbles” that can become violent for the most part the actual University has done a lot to combat homophobia. Does P.J feel that the society “OutRhodes” has done enough to support first years? No, he does not. He feels that many gay first years are intimidated by the group as they are very outgoing and loud and proud. Those who are still in the process of coming out to their friends and family may feel scared, although if you are active in the society it can help you. “Yes. No. Uh, lets just say yes.” Was his response to whether he feels that the gay and lesbian community at Rhodes is stereotyped. People form their own ideas of what you are supposed to be but you do not have to let them force you into that role.
P.J. is a survivor of first year and whilst interviewing him it becomes clear why. He is a hardworking individual who tries to play just as much as he works. He has found a way to get his head into the game when necessary and still make sure that he has a thriving social life. You can catch him almost daily at Cow Moon Theory where he likes to hang out and smoke hubbly with friends. If you choose to approach him though make sure he is in a good mood.
Yours painfully,
Miss Migraine
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9 months ago
4 comments:
I enjoyed reading your profile on Peter John Waugh, and I was intrigued by the topic of homosexuality in first year.
I liked the way Peter John was portrayed as the hero, but that heterosexuals were not stereotypically cast as “villains” in this piece. The way that you balanced both the good and bad mentalities towards homosexuals, as well as the mentalities of homosexuals towards heterosexuals at Rhodes gives your profile article good dimensions.
Your use of narrative elements in this piece is very effective. You clearly show that the disruption element of Todorov’s narrative model is experienced by your “hero”. The disruption, showing Peter John coming to Rhodes and adapting to the homosexual scene here allows the final equilibrium to be very strong. The term “first year survivor” that you used to describe Peter John really emphasized the final equilibrium and gave your piece nice direction.
Well well, an extravagant gay drama student is certainly not who I would have chosed to be a hero, but I've seem to have have been convinced otherwise! Using Propp and Todorov's character descriptions I can see how you framed Peter John as a hero of note, describing his challenges as a first year gay male student and spicing the story up with his opinions on the OutRhodes society and Rhodes' response to gays as he saw them. It gives us an insider's perspective making, it a very interesting read.
Also, your choice of subject tells me alot about you, the writer, indicating open-mindedness and inherent objectivity. it would have been nice to see more quotes from Peter John himself but otherwise, great profile =)
This profile was very down-to-earth and conversational, as it addressed the readers directly and continued to tell the story in a simple way. The subject of the profile was very aptly chosen as a hero. He fits with Propp’s character description of a hero in that he is faced with difficult obstacles and yet overcomes them, and ultimately emerges victorious. PJ overcame his fears about the negative views which are held by many homophobes and achieved balance in his life. In doing this, he became more comfortable with himself. He survived the “emotional rollercoaster ride” that was first year, and has grown as a person because of it.
Roxanne Henderson g08h1815
Tutor: Nicole Hyman
This profile article truly did the story of this exuberant gent justice! Miss Migraine must be commended on relating the blogs theme to article. The article is relevant as a portrayal of the blog and that of a hero. P.J as a first survivor makes for an interesting, unique angle. He was the Proppian hero but there is no clear villain. There is room for the reader's interpretation. I like that life on campus was addressed in reference to the OutRhodes society. Making a specific reference creates better understanding of the interviewee's point for the reader. Furthermore, the writing is lucid and conversational. P.J. comes alive as he is quoted and described. The focus was placed to some extent on the gay community in Grahamstown as a story within the story, not out shining P.J. The writer stayed true to the character of her interviewee and presented a clear account of P.J. while keeping P.J. the centre of the article.
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