I'm sorry, but I confess that I haven't been following this thread very closely because I haven't been particularly interested in the topic, but my impression in glancing over a few postings--and I apologize now if I'm misreading anyone here--is that we are taking ourselves way too seriously here. So what if the DaVinci Code is poorly written or gets the history wrong? It's a work of fiction and who cares? It doesn't bother me a bit. I enjoyed it for what it is. It doesn't infringe on my work or my teaching. If anything, it has generated some enthusiasm in some of my students. The only reason I read it at all was so I could talk to them about it. Isn't it our jobs as teachers to correct those misconceptions? Last summer while I was teaching a course in Arthurian literature, the latest *King Arthur* movie came out. We had a blast in class talking about it. Does anyone think that vision of King Arthur is an accurate one? Pop culture is a splendid way to initiate discussion. It's up to us to guide the discussion into areas that we want to go and make connections.
Elena states that the "Da Vinci Code is especially misleading in its style and its constant efforts to make the reader believe it is based on actual research," but isn't that exactly what Geoffrey of Monmouth did when he cites a lost manuscript in the Welsh tongue belonging to Walter the Archdeacon as his source? It's a venerable ploy and one that still works, and Geoffrey had his critics too.
Elena further states, "Not only will we eventually get to teach those same teenagers who have read this and other books when they come to us as students, but I think it is no one but medievalists who should provide further knowledge on popular hypes, as public service." Ah, if only it were so simple. We could all have tenure, long illustrious careers, and endowed chairs a-plenty. It's a wonderful Christmas wish.
And with that I'll return to my stacks of mind-numbing essays from students who apparently haven't read anything, DaVinci Code or otherwise. Bah, humbug.
All the best,
Clint Atchley
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