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 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.
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*
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*
Brandon Sanderson plans 36 books in his 'Cosmere' setting
19/02/2012 11:45:24 AM
- 4484 Views
Was Sanderson created by the Writng Gods to counter balance GRRM?
19/02/2012 05:13:07 PM
- 1269 Views
I just wish he'd be done with the RJ shit and go back to writing his own books.
19/02/2012 05:40:59 PM
- 1220 Views
well, the publication date for that book is set somewhere a year from now..
19/02/2012 07:48:58 PM
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Agreed on both points.....
19/02/2012 08:00:41 PM
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Well, but he is a "fluff" writer from a literary standpoint
20/02/2012 02:16:11 AM
- 1234 Views
Not a fluff writer in my mind.....
20/02/2012 03:12:46 AM
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You don't seem to want to hear what I'm saying
20/02/2012 03:51:13 AM
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And I am saying that storytelling is more important.....
20/02/2012 04:52:39 AM
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Storytelling is crucial...
20/02/2012 05:59:57 AM
- 1244 Views
A few comments/replies about your post.....
20/02/2012 02:57:16 PM
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You are correct in one respect: all of this is opinion.
20/02/2012 07:01:11 PM
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You sound like one of those nasty "literary elites"!
20/02/2012 08:07:13 PM
- 1128 Views
Literature is subjective
21/02/2012 12:26:35 AM
- 1225 Views
I agree with your point about reading Shakespeare from textbooks.
21/02/2012 03:18:37 AM
- 1267 Views
Never heard of Thomas Mann and the real Mona Lisa.....
21/02/2012 03:34:12 AM
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Conversely, why should I trust the likes of you?
21/02/2012 06:19:18 AM
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Oh, come now...
21/02/2012 10:35:18 AM
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When it comes to evaluating schema, I'm not going to trust someone who only had English 101
21/02/2012 11:26:03 AM
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Larry = snob
21/02/2012 05:34:22 PM
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Amusing
21/02/2012 07:49:20 PM
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Wow, you lack basic reading comprehension skills.....
21/02/2012 08:29:24 PM
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No, I read that and didn't disagree that there couldn't be works that had both (read other comments)
21/02/2012 09:23:31 PM
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Uh...Faust is a play. Doctor Faustus is a novel. The former is Goethe, the latter is Mann. *NM*
22/02/2012 12:00:22 AM
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I suppose fame is relative, but the most famous Doctor Faustus, to me personally, is indeed a play.
22/02/2012 07:29:59 PM
- 1034 Views
Wait, let's look at the gross disconnect between two statements.
21/02/2012 01:59:34 PM
- 1241 Views
So true about the Mona Lisa.
21/02/2012 07:57:41 PM
- 1266 Views
Yes, I was at the Louvre and you are right.....
21/02/2012 08:32:40 PM
- 1126 Views
This is where your own rethoric defeats you...
23/02/2012 06:38:54 AM
- 1108 Views
Slow down - it may not be the current elites that are hyping it.....
23/02/2012 05:12:47 PM
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Re: Slow down - it may not be the current elites that are hyping it.....
13/03/2012 03:10:12 AM
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Seems like an awful lot.
19/02/2012 08:11:22 PM
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Sanderson is a machine. Also, the books (so far) have been wildly different
20/02/2012 12:50:41 AM
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Re: Sanderson is a machine. Also, the books (so far) have been wildly different
20/02/2012 03:00:17 AM
- 1289 Views
Same here- I didn't know about the Cosmere at all until I started poking around online
21/02/2012 03:25:36 AM
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Likewise. After reading Mistborn and Warbreaker I started looking into him more
21/02/2012 06:20:09 PM
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It's likely to stay that way...
20/02/2012 06:22:50 AM
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Confirmation on the Mistborn trilogies. I am so happy. *NM*
20/02/2012 05:38:23 AM
- 504 Views
I am thrilled to see that there will be more stories about Wax and Wayne.....
20/02/2012 03:46:37 PM
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The one issue I had with that book...
21/02/2012 06:21:29 PM
- 1117 Views