After reading the two essays on the deeper meaning of works of literature, I have come to the conclusion that both writers are right to a certain point. They both have some different views on literature that I believe to be true. In some cases I think that texts are overanalyzed and students try connecting the subject matter with something totally different from what the theme really was. In cases like these, sometimes the work of literature loses its purpose or intended value. However, I do also believe that in some cases it is beneficial to link some literature to things going on around us now.
The first of the essays was written by George Will, a Pulitzer prize winner and an established political commenter who writes a column in the newspaper. To start off his essay, he wrote that "all literature is.. political". So he's saying that every book ever written has a tendency to have some political opinions. I think this is a very interesting view on literature. Will’s main thought is that critics of literature many times over analyze works of literature . He thinks that literature is over analyzed and for the most part, it is interpreted into something it’s not meant to be. Will believes that when critics overanalyze literature, they strip it of its power.
Stephan Greenblatt wrote the second essay. Greenblatt is the Cogan University professor of the humanities at Harvard University. He believes that linking the text to outside topics allow the student to completely understand the writing better. Greenblatt believes that if students relate colonialism to The Tempest than it can educate us on "forgiveness, wisdom, and social atonement". He thinks it is beneficial to dig down deep into the writing and get the most meaning out of it as you possibly can.
Interesting post, and on a side note, I'd like to say that I love the Pacman widget, of course. On topic with your post, I appreciate your simple summarization of the two author's main points. As I read the essays, I also could see how both men had valid points. I agree that it is beneficial, as you say, to make connections to the outside world with literature selections, and for me, it can help to further the meaning or message. Other than that, I do not really get your standpoint on the issue, but I feel both men can be right. Over analyzing literature can work against you, but there is typically more than one interpretation to a piece of writing, whether they are the author's intention or not.
ReplyDeleteI always love reading your blogs, they make me feel so alive. i think that you made some good points in your commentary, but i wish you would have chosen one side of the debate and fought solely for that. I do believe, however, that you have done well on this blog by supporting why you would believe both sides are right to a certain extent. The quotes that you chose to use helped you to develop your argument which i thought made this blog so gosh darn entertaining. keep up the good work kid, one day you will land among the stars :)
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