An excerpt from the Web-Site:
“The Use and Abuse of Literature,” the latest book by the prolific Harvard literary scholar Marjorie Garber, is in part about this “centripetal movement” in artistic appreciation “from the edges to the center, from the outside to the inside, incorporating once disparaged genres and authors into respectable, canonical and even classic status.”
By CHRISTOPHER R. BEHA
Christopher R. Beha is an editor at Harper’s Magazine and the author of a memoir, “The Whole Five Feet.”
Since publishing my most recent ‘Blog’ only ‘minutes’ ago, someone asked me what the relevance was to, or for, authors. The opinion was put up under the heading ‘The Write Stuff’ and is, thus, aimed at writing.
Someone who writes does so under various guises. They may be writing pseudo-journalism’ (there’s arrogance!) in a tabloid, ‘proto-journalism’ (more condescension!) in a broad sheet, articles in magazines, short stories, novels, plays, TV/Film Scripts (2 very different animals), reviews or ‘Blogs’. Even writing in a semi-public domain like ‘Facebook’ or ‘Twitter’—and make no mistake, getting an idea across in less than 140 characters takes some skill, makes any person a ‘writer’.
In all of these cases the person who writes is attempting to get an idea from their head into the head of another person. The ‘other person’ may have a completely different thought process from the writer because of geographical location, religion, education, social up-bringing, custom and tradition. So many factors accrue in our minds to make us all individuals. We are, each of us, different.
That is where the point is.
To whom are you writing?
Your thoughts that you put on the Internet are, presumably, aimed at someone. Someone specific or a specific group of individuals.
Sadly, there are those who indiscriminately use foul or profane language profusely throughout their writings. These are the same people, very often, who would cringe at the thought of you entering their house and using the same language to their Mums and Grannies. Yet they feel free to do so in open forum that is read by, potentially, sensitive people.
There are many who adopt the “If I were you....” approach.
These are people to whom it is important if you have read the ‘right books’ and know the ‘right words’. Condescension abounds. Arrogance abounds. Yet it is these same people who, often, do not know the meanings of the words they themselves use.
“Centripetal”. A centripetal force does not exist. It is used to counter the ‘centrifugal force’ that is measurable in a rotating object. ‘Centripetal’ force is a notional force that opposes, in a Newtonian sense, ‘centrifugal’ force. ‘Centrifugal’ is the force that exists, in fact. It radiates outwards from the centre (Note: ‘radiates’ from ‘radius’). ‘Centripetal’ is notional because the starting point is not known, only the force measured at the centre—the distance (radii) is inferred or ‘notional’.
Now go back and read the excerpt above.
The author who reviewed that book, above, is obviously an intellectual—at least by his own standards and those in his immediate coterie. For whom was his review written? Clearly, for fellow intellectuals and the ‘literary’ clique into which he has insinuated himself or, at least, desires to enter.
This is a case of “If I were you....” But he is not ‘us’. He has not written this review for the masses. He has not expressed a viewpoint from the standpoint of the majority. The book, by Marjorie Gerber, appears to be aimed at authors. It appears to be an attempt to assist authors in an explanation of what ‘literature’ means. This is laudable.
“If I were you....I’d read this (because it might improve you)”
But you are not me. Just tell me what you think of it openly and honestly.
Sometimes reviews, however well meant and praiseworthy are damning in their attempt to intellectualise, or, even, oversimplify, the object of review. I wonder what this reviewer would make of ‘Winnie the Pooh’? That might be entertainment.
A tight line to follow. A narrow fence to sit on. I did think to buy this book but, maybe, now.... Hmmm.
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