Reply
Mon 30 May, 2011 05:37 pm
When I was an undergrad, reading literature and discussing and analyzing themes seemed important because the author/poet was articulating something possibly true about the way human beings behave (or ought to behave). Now it seems that everyone takes a relativistic line when it comes to interpreting literature, and most would sneer at the notion that art can reveal psychological/political truths. But if it can't, why does our culture consider it important to analyze literature (important enough to still teach it in public schools).
@Curious and Confused,
Quote:But if it can't, why does our culture consider it important to analyze literature....
What's the point in reading something if one doesn't understand what one's reading. Are you suggesting we just mimic some bird cultures and pick up shiny objects off the ground simply because they're shiny and thusly pretty?
Without analysis, all you have is a book filled with pretty words or worse a book filled with ugly words (depending on the subject and the writer of said text).
Stumble It!
Tweet This
Bookmark on Delicious
Share on Facebook
Share on MySpace