Re: Thinking with Jim and Robbie

>Will said: "I've been told recently that single author studies are
>irrelevant and that books about literature should focus on cultural themes."
>
>That's an interesting idea, but I really don't think it can hold up. This
>idea that's been springing up, that everything (or nearly so) is dependent
>upon and defined by culture and custom seems exaggerated to me. These
>things certainly have a profound influence, but they do not absolutely
>determine everything. I cannot imagine that a reasonable person can sustain
>such a belief through the careful reading of varied texts from far-ranging
>times and cultures. It soon becomes plainly evident that we all really do
>share much more than separates us, and what we share provides a very
>substantial context.
>
Thanks for your fine reply robbie. I do not agree with the death of
single author studies either...in fact, as I listen to some of the
thinking about criticism and theory, I thought how I really like
particular critics regardless of theory. I'm thinking of Edmund
Wilson and his book, Axel's Castle as an example of a great critic
addressing issuses in literature. In the book's dedication to
Christian Gauss, Wilson wrote "It was principally from you that I
acquired then my idea of what literary criticism out to be--a history
of man's ideas and imaginings in the setting of the conditions which
shaped them." Wilson is linking himself to Gauss and not to
paritcular "isms," though he may also be lending weight to Jim's
points in another discussion.

Even on our list, we have folks occasionally falling for others and
that made me think about how I love to read an author's whole works.
I'm getting convinced by robbie's points and in particular, the idea
that some writers sing to some readers and knowing where the music
is, is what makes my reading life continue.

will

-- 
	Will Hochman
Associate Professor of English
Southern Connecticut State University
501 Crescent St, New Haven, CT 06515
203 392 5024
http://www.southernct.edu/~hochman/willz.html
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