(Plot+Characters)*Voice^2=Literature? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

tar-ancalime · 12-01-2004, 07:47 PM

Ooh, this sort of thing really frosts my muffins!

What some teachers don't seem to be able to get across to their classes (I'd say they don't understand it, but I'm feeling a little too charitable for that today) is that while many works of literature exhibit some structural similarities, and while it's always important to study the basic ideas that recur again and again in things like form, character, plot, etc., adherence to some "formula" dreamed up by an analyst is NEVER what makes literature great. Students must have a grounding in the language of the art form, which is why teachers tend to focus on these things, but teachers are sorely remiss when they discuss conventions of form at the expense of probing into what makes each individual work of literature great. That's where a literature class can really soar--a teacher guiding a discussion about the individuality of a work.

EDIT: Hear, hear!

12-01-2004, 07:47 PM	#3
tar-ancalime Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: abaft the beam Posts: 303	Ooh, this sort of thing really frosts my muffins! What some teachers don't seem to be able to get across to their classes (I'd say they don't understand it, but I'm feeling a little too charitable for that today) is that while many works of literature exhibit some structural similarities, and while it's always important to study the basic ideas that recur again and again in things like form, character, plot, etc., adherence to some "formula" dreamed up by an analyst is NEVER what makes literature great. Students must have a grounding in the language of the art form, which is why teachers tend to focus on these things, but teachers are sorely remiss when they discuss conventions of form at the expense of probing into what makes each individual work of literature great. That's where a literature class can really soar--a teacher guiding a discussion about the individuality of a work. EDIT: Hear, hear! __________________ Having fun wolfing it to the bitter end, I see, gaur-ancalime (lmp, ww13) Last edited by tar-ancalime; 12-01-2004 at 07:48 PM. Reason: cross-posting with Saucepan Man