Stephen Colbert’s book
I just bought Stephen Colbert’s new book to get my fill of The Colbert Report during the Writers Strike (and since the South Carolina Democratic executive council has taken him out of the news). I’ve just started, but the introduction is full of class-related stuff.
On the very first page of the introduction, Colbert talks about how he has too many opinions left over from his show, comparing them to seeds on a barren ground. Then he says he’s going to impregnate America with the seeds of his opinions (the words of his book)!
The next page has a footnote about protecting our nation’s crops from insects with what he terms “Frankenstein corn.”
The only research he needed to write this was a look in the mirror, because this is his story, he says.
His first babysitter (only on page 3 still) wore too many rings.
And page 6 yields the gem: “Back then, family members knew their roles, and nobody questioned paternal authority.”
“America used to live by the motto ‘Father Knows Best.’ Now we’re lucky if ‘Father Knows He Has Children.’” We’ve talked about the rise of paternity tests a lot.
Soon enough, he’s describing the role of the father within the family, including “a teacher,” or epistemic authority, and “a distant authority figure who can never be pleased,” or the executive authority. He continues, “At home, my word is law.” There’s that law of the father again.
I’ve only read the first 10 pages, but as our recurring images continue to appear (and so close together), it’s already clear that Stephen Colbert is incredibly plugged into the collective unconscious. And as a bonus, you will learn beyond the shadow of a doubt that Mr. Clean is gay.
–Brandon