Since our class has now been introduced to quite a few examples of interpretive literature I've begun to notice something. Pieces of fiction such as the Metamorphosis and The Life You Save May Be Your Own seem much more sophisticated then other stories. This may seem obvious to some of you, but it's kind of strange considering the plot of both stories is rather odd and kind of surreal. Why do people (including myself) hold these interpretive stories in higher regard than literature that may be story/intrigue centric?
Some may argue that interpretive literature is more sophisticated than "regular" stories for the sole fact that it takes more thought and dissection to comprehend. This as some merit, but there are also "regular" stories that are very cleverly written and keep you engaged for hours.
It seems the books our culture (and many others) hold in the highest withstanding regard are those with the most themes. Books like Harry Potter and Twilight may prove to be fun and interesting reads but in twenty years I doubt you'll see them on many "best books of all time" lists.
You will see though, books like The Metamorphosis and Heart of Darkness, which are packed full of different themes and motifs. Perhaps this is because they can be interpreted in so many different ways. Maybe the open ended nature of these stories is what makes them appeal to such a wide audience. Also, a highly interpretive read can be discussed for years and years and continue to be dissected in new and creative ways. Perhaps its not a question of how sophisticated the stories are, but how well they age with our society.
All in all, there's a place for both kinds of stories, but at the end of the day interpretive ones seem to stand the test of time.
Ending of Caucasia
15 years ago
Posts
4 comments:
I disagree. I don't think interprative writings are taken more seriously. I mean, if you get a room full of Twilight fans you'll have squealing teenage girls talking for hours about their dreamy non-existant vampire boyfriend. They take it very seriously. Just try calling Edward ugly in front of fans and see what happens.
I think it all just depends on your Discourse.
I disagree with this too. The bulk of the world reads books. Most of the time, you read a book to read, not to analyze and look for motifs. If I had read Metamorphosis on my own, it would have been a book about a man who turns into a bug. Only in a class, would you analyze and break things down.
I can confidently say, that at least 75% of our class would have stopped reading this book after the first chapter. Because Kafka filled this book with so many motifs, themes, and metaphors, it kind of lost the story. Metamorphisis was like a couch potato to me. It just sat there. Maybe every once in a while it would put a potato chip in it's mouth, but it was just blah.
I don't completely agree but I definitely don't disagree with your point.
I think you're right about the books that stand the test of time. 50-100 years from now nobody's going to remember the deepness of the Twilight saga. The 14 year old girls who love it now 30 years from now will probably just look back and laugh about how obsessed they were with Edward Cullen. But Historians and Theologians are not going to discuss the symbolisms or reading between the lines.
Honestly, I didn't like Metamorphosis, I couldn't even finish it. It could be because I truly didn't have time, but normally when I'm in a good book that shouldn't matter. The depth of the book is fabulous but I think that the average everyday teen isn't going to appreciate it as much as Harry Potter. But just because a book doesn't capture your attention now doesn't mean that it's not good. That's what's wrong with society, if you're not immediately entertained move on to something else.
I agree that these books will past the test of time, but it's not necessarily our age group that will agree. Maybe when we're old and we think that "kids these days" are reading crap. But times change no matter what and so do opinions and cultural acceptances.
Overall, it's a matter of perspective, really.
I don't think that because you have to put more into the reading of a book that it is better in some way than other novels. Stephen King will have novels that will never be forgotten and many other writters also will have books that will "stand the test of time" but you don't have to get into a large group and discuss their deeper meaning. They are cut and dry and they are brilliant.
i'm sorry i just don't agree.
Post a Comment