Idiot Classmates and The Devil Wears Prada

Like most good films, The Devil Wears Prada was a book first. Long before the heightened obsession with the film (and stupid Anne Hathaway (who is an idiot)), I was a fanatic about the book.

The other day my critical theory class offered examples of thesis statements for their mid-term papers. I noticed that no one was writing about Was Bleibt, the book we read for class. I raised my hand and in a (clearly) sarcastic tone asked my professor if I could write about The Devil Wears Prada, since no one seems to be writing about the about the book we've actually discussed in class. My professor (Okay, it was Rob) knew I was kidding and responded that we should try to write about Was Bleibt. And that's what I did.

So the guy next to me (who clearly doesn't understand sarcasm and therefore would never be able to appreciate shows like The Office or Monty Python) said to me, "I wouldn't recommend writing about The Devil Wears Prada. This is an academic class." Serious tone. Not kidding. He surely thought I was an idiot for suggesting such a thing!

First of all, I don't need some fresh-off-the-mission sophomore/junior telling me what to write about. I ought to bring in my German writing portfolio to remind him that I've never had a grade below an A on any paper or assignment.

Second of all, why knock The Devil Wears Prada? I hate it when people knock those kind of books and disregard them because they aren't academic. There is no need to be elitist about the kind of books we read. We should read academic texts, as well as texts that distract us and ease our minds. From a new historicist standpoint, The Devil Wears Prada is intelligent because it serves as a snapshot of society with the fashion, the New York lifestyle, the clubs, etc.

Third of all, even if I did write about The Devil Wears Prada, the paper would have been fabulous and I would have received an A for my work. Take that.