|
|
Post by onlyaworkingtitle on Jun 7, 2011 18:50:14 GMT -5
Here's probably the most-debated question of our field: What is literature?
Opine.
|
|
|
|
Post by embonpoint on Jun 7, 2011 18:52:52 GMT -5
Ohhhh, opine is such a great word.<33333
|
|
|
|
Post by Dodger Thirteen on Jun 7, 2011 18:53:41 GMT -5
New word for the "Your Favourite Words" thread.... Anyway, I've never been able to define this damned word in order to include everything that we study as English majors. That being said, I'm going to say this: Literature is the written word. |
|
|
|
Post by Marina on Jun 7, 2011 18:55:15 GMT -5
How about: literature is a written word that has the power to change your views on life, for better or worse.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dodger Thirteen on Jun 7, 2011 18:58:26 GMT -5
How about: literature is a written word that has the power to change your views on life, for better or worse. See, that doesn't do it for me. I could (and have) read Hamlet, but it didn't really affect me; I didn't like it and that was it. Under your definition, that would not qualify it as literature, at least not to me. |
|
|
|
Post by Marina on Jun 7, 2011 19:00:06 GMT -5
How about: literature is a written word that has the power to change your views on life, for better or worse. See, that doesn't do it for me. I could (and have) read Hamlet, but it didn't really affect me; I didn't like it and that was it. Under your definition, that would not qualify it as literature, at least not to me. Yes, but then what would you consider literature? Because saying literature is "the written word" is a bit vague. P.S. Hamlet moved me.  |
|
|
|
Post by Fuck Yeah Dion on Jun 7, 2011 19:02:23 GMT -5
How about: literature is a written word that has the power to change your views on life, for better or worse. Quoted to agree with Dodger Thirteen. I think I'll just sit back in this thread and watch the opinions. I don't necessarily think there is such a thing as literature, because I've never heard a definition that seems solid. I might change my opinion if I find a good one here. |
|
|
|
Post by Dodger Thirteen on Jun 7, 2011 19:05:01 GMT -5
Yes, but then what would you consider literature? Because saying literature is "the written word" is a bit vague. Yes, and it's meant to be. The fact is, we study so many works of different kinds that one specific definition isn't going to be able to include all of them. So then what do we do? We have to broaden the definition. Saying "Literature is the written word" is the only definition that I've been able to come up with that is as inclusive as possible. Though, I suppose you could add something. "Literature is the word written with intent" could work. P.S. Hamlet moved me. It moved me, too. In the direction of another book. |
|
|
|
Post by Marina on Jun 7, 2011 19:10:29 GMT -5
Yes, but then what would you consider literature? Because saying literature is "the written word" is a bit vague. Yes, and it's meant to be. The fact is, we study so many works of different kinds that one specific definition isn't going to be able to include all of them. So then what do we do? We have to broaden the definition. Saying "Literature is the written word" is the only definition that I've been able to come up with that is as inclusive as possible. Though, I suppose you could add something. "Literature is the word written with intent" could work. If we agree straight away that what we consider literature is "opinion" of each individual, because I mostly agree with you, then this debate is deader than roadkill. It moved me, too. In the direction of another book. For worse then?  |
|
|
|
Post by Dodger Thirteen on Jun 7, 2011 19:13:42 GMT -5
If we agree straight away that what we consider literature is "opinion" of each individual, because I mostly agree with you, then this debate is deader than roadkill. Which is why I demand the presence of more Armadillos here that disagree with me so I can continue to be Not Bored, Dammit. It moved me, too. In the direction of another book. For worse then? Nope, because I was bored and thereby indifferent towards it, thus I moved on to another piece. |
|
|
|
Post by Fuck Yeah Dion on Jun 7, 2011 19:15:55 GMT -5
Yes, but then what would you consider literature? Because saying literature is "the written word" is a bit vague. Yes, and it's meant to be. The fact is, we study so many works of different kinds that one specific definition isn't going to be able to include all of them. So then what do we do? We have to broaden the definition. Saying "Literature is the written word" is the only definition that I've been able to come up with that is as inclusive as possible. Though, I suppose you could add something. "Literature is the word written with intent" could work. P.S. Hamlet moved me. It moved me, too. In the direction of another book. Exactly what intent are we talking about here? Phone books are written with intent. |
|
|
|
Post by Dodger Thirteen on Jun 7, 2011 19:17:30 GMT -5
Yes, and it's meant to be. The fact is, we study so many works of different kinds that one specific definition isn't going to be able to include all of them. So then what do we do? We have to broaden the definition. Saying "Literature is the written word" is the only definition that I've been able to come up with that is as inclusive as possible. Though, I suppose you could add something. "Literature is the word written with intent" could work. Exactly what intent are we talking about here? Phone books are written with intent. I imagine "intent" would have to be an intellectual intent or something similar, though I've no idea how to phrase it. Thoughts? |
|
|
|
Post by Marina on Jun 7, 2011 19:25:06 GMT -5
Wasn't "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" written with the intent to save the cathedral? (such painful, stone by stone, intent).
Or stuff that Dickens wrote, some would argue that his works were meant to bring awareness to the extreme poverty. And the "A Christmas Carol" to tell rich people to stop being dicks.
|
|
|
|
Post by Fuck Yeah Dion on Jun 7, 2011 19:31:28 GMT -5
With Dodger Thirteen's last definition, we'd then have to define what exactly "intellectual" means. And aren't we simultaneously having two separate discussions about whether or not the author's intent carries any weight? haha. If we can define intellectual and accept that an author must intend to write something with intellect, then we've once again reached an impasse, because a large chunk of English majors believe an author's intentions don't matter much, or not at all.
Geez, I love being an English major so fucking much.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dodger Thirteen on Jun 7, 2011 19:34:56 GMT -5
See, here's the problem: you're insinuating that my definition needs to be changed instead of thrown out all together and a new one put in its place. I challenge you both (and everyone else who is lurking, dammit!) to provide a different definition.
|
|
