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I agree with your point about reading Shakespeare from textbooks. Tom Send a noteboard - 21/02/2012 03:18:37 AM
However, part of your argument regarding literature is deconstructivist in nature. No real judgments can be made because everything is subjective. That's essentially the argument of moral relativism.

I can agree with much of what you wrote, but this part:

I don't understand why there are "novels", at which people tend to turn up their nose, and "Literature", over which people tend to fawn regardless of content. Why are there not simply stories, some better than others, the best of them powerful, engaging works?


I think is ignoring intense debates that people have about the value of particular works. For example, Joyce is often brought up as a writer who is considered a "classic" by some, but crap by others. The borders between literature and popular fiction are sometimes blurred, and the whole point about classification is sometimes an attempt at determining worth and value. Is Ray Bradbury literature? Those are valid questions because essentially by asking the question, someone is asking, "Does this book have worth that will last for generations and be read for its aesthetic or stylistic value, or for what it tells us about the human condition?"

For me, reading Sanderson is just entertainment, while reading Thomas Mann is about so much more. People don't need to "turn their noses up" at novels, but on the other hand, compare literature to art. There is a reason why people reproduce, say, the Mona Lisa and Monet's paintings, while other painters have fallen into obscurity - because certain artists and works are considered to be superior.

Political correctness is the pettiest form of casuistry.

ἡ δὲ κἀκ τριῶν τρυπημάτων ἐργαζομένη ἐνεκάλει τῇ φύσει, δυσφορουμένη, ὅτι δὴ μὴ καὶ τοὺς τιτθοὺς αὐτῇ εὐρύτερον ἢ νῦν εἰσι τρυπώη, ὅπως καὶ ἄλλην ἐνταῦθα μίξιν ἐπιτεχνᾶσθαι δυνατὴ εἴη. – Procopius

Ummaka qinnassa nīk!

*MySmiley*
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A modern Moorcock, eh ? *NM* - 19/02/2012 05:39:00 PM 709 Views
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Agreed on both points..... - 19/02/2012 08:00:41 PM 1505 Views
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Storytelling is crucial... - 20/02/2012 05:59:57 AM 1602 Views
A few comments/replies about your post..... - 20/02/2012 02:57:16 PM 1526 Views
You are correct in one respect: all of this is opinion. - 20/02/2012 07:01:11 PM 1514 Views
You sound like one of those nasty "literary elites"! - 20/02/2012 08:07:13 PM 1468 Views
Literature is subjective - 21/02/2012 12:26:35 AM 1539 Views
Very well said..... *NM* - 21/02/2012 01:12:40 AM 674 Views
I agree with your point about reading Shakespeare from textbooks. - 21/02/2012 03:18:37 AM 1592 Views
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Conversely, why should I trust the likes of you? - 21/02/2012 06:19:18 AM 1702 Views
Oh, come now... - 21/02/2012 10:35:18 AM 1661 Views
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Mostly agreed - 21/02/2012 09:00:51 PM 1477 Views
Mostly true - 21/02/2012 09:27:09 PM 1504 Views
Re: Mostly true - 22/02/2012 12:58:55 AM 1325 Views
Larry = snob - 21/02/2012 05:34:22 PM 1457 Views
Amusing - 21/02/2012 07:49:20 PM 1464 Views
Wow, you lack basic reading comprehension skills..... - 21/02/2012 08:29:24 PM 1460 Views
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D'uh.....notice the smiley face. Good grief! *NM* - 22/02/2012 12:50:23 AM 711 Views
Just checking... *NM* - 22/02/2012 01:07:40 AM 657 Views
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I have not blindly rejected the literary elites..... - 21/02/2012 05:27:35 PM 1521 Views
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This is where your own rethoric defeats you... - 23/02/2012 06:38:54 AM 1502 Views
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There's "subjective", and there's "lack of education" - 21/02/2012 08:58:11 PM 1472 Views
Re: There's "subjective", and there's "lack of education" - 21/02/2012 09:23:38 PM 1605 Views
Thank you. That was excellent. *NM* - 20/02/2012 07:01:31 PM 749 Views
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