On Sat, 3 Jan 2004 20:52:38 +0100, Trevor Joyce
<[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>Erminia Passaninti:
>
>>You cannot dismiss critical theory once it is universally understood that
>>theory starts from a pragmatic consideration about literature as such
(that
>>is, the Sartrian dilemma: What is Literature?'
>
>What, exactly, do you mean when you say that "[I] cannot dismiss
>critical theory"? I don't, in fact, dismiss critical theory; simply,
>as I suggested earlier, I find it of limited utility, falling far
>short of the claims its proponents frequently make for it. But that's
>another matter. I'm curious about the imperative tone of your
>statement: "[I] cannot dismiss . . . " Of course I can, if I choose
>so. What power binds me to such dogmatics?
>
>I find this an oddly authoritarian mode of argument, akin to the
>theology I was forced to digest, in lieu of philosophy, in university
>in the late sixties. I've since toyed with the notion of independent
>thought and practice . . .
>
>>As for the neo-Platonic idea, as being emanation theory ante literam, see
>>Yeats distinction between dancer and dance. Which can be read, with proper
>>alertness to the poet's use of metaphorical language.
>
>Once again, you seem to read dogmatically, implying that there is a
>single correct interpretation, if only I could master a "proper
>alertness to . . . metaphorical language" and decode the message
>correctly. What happened to Yeats' question mark, to his careful
>dialectical, antithetical balancing of poem against poem in his
>published volumes? Shot to hell, all of it.
>
>Yeats was, frequently, a pompous portentous git (not simply my own
>impression, I've spoken with many who knew him, not a few of whom -
>and good poets too - detested him), but he knew enough to keep his
>system dynamic, not to allow it freeze to dogma. I think you've left
>this particular bird flying on only one wing, Erminia. I hope he has
>life assurance.
>
>Trevor
Trevor,
I meant to say, 'one cannot dismiss...' and it is not me stating this but
in fact Paul DeMan...that was reported speech of the esay I quoted. 'The
resistence to theory'.
Anyhow, I did wish to solicit rebeliousess against literary authorities,
although De Man is undoubtly one of these cultural authorities one gets to
adore.
To have reservation is of course a form of dismissal, probably an healthy
one. I tend to finding difficult to dismiss completely a discipline. I find
criticism and literary theory essential parts of my appreciation of poetry
and literature in general, as Oscar Wilde helped me understand with his
essay 'The artist as critic' (1890)where he let a character state that
criticism is the superior part of creation.
erminia passannanti
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