Re: Racial diversity here and possible
Daniel Mahanty (MAHANTYD@ojp.usdoj.gov)
Thu, 13 Aug 1998 09:16:42 -0400
"...all legitimate religious study must lead to unlearning the differences,
the illusory differences, between boys and girls, animals and stones,
day and night, heat and cold."
Thanks Will......
Perhaps in an attempt to delve into the current thread without properly
reading all posts, I have missed the real meat of the issue ipso facto, but
has identifying with character and all or any of his or her feelings really
become the intent of reading literature, or the basis upon which one
assesses his or her fulfillment?
While I would offer the notion that perhaps some "quasi-universal
(Ahhh!!!)", or at least common experiences or emotions might lend
themselves to further enjoyment, or proximity to the central characters
etc, I can't imagine trying to "relate" neccessarily to all of them - but isn' t
that the point of actively learning as one reads - to place oneself in a
panopticon of sorts? I can't imagine how droll my literary experiences
would be if I related to all of the characters I enjoy or have enjoyed - or
even not enjoyed(!). Occasionally, reading is, to me as I have learned, a
masochistic process with infinite yields.
Perhaps we need to stop spoon feeding ourselves and others the
pastries with the familiar fillings, and try something less pleasing - or at
least less familiar - to the old palate. (Like Sommerset Maughm, yuk yuk)
Dan