Critical Analysis

Toni Morrison raises many interesting points in her book Playing in the Dark. I found the reading to be somewhat monotonous but overall I learned some good things. Most interesting, however, was her idea that the book Sapphira and the Slave Girl is a failure because of the literary Discourse of the author, and that Willa Cather, as a white author, could not possibly write a successful novel on the life of a slave. Although this issue is an example of her books theme of Blackness in literature it can raise interesting comparisons to my choice novel The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane. And although Crane can be Compared to Cather in this way through this novel he comes as close as someone possibly could to producing a successful book without the background acquired through experience.

It is widely discussed in the literary world of Civil War novels, the issue of Crane's novel. The fact that Crane wrote this novel without any actual battle experience baffles the mind. He is able to create such a realistic and powerful image of the carnage and bloodshed experienced in the war that you would have no idea that he had not actually participated. This being one of the first wars in mankind to be widely written about in the newspapers, most of what Crane knew about the war was gleaned from these texts. This seems to completely contradict what Toni Morrison states in Playing in the Dark. Despite his disadvantages in the realm of Discourse, Crane is able to create a highly realistic and believable look into the life of soldiers during the Civil War. This leads one to believe that maybe the only area where her statement is relevant is in the field of Blackness or even only in relation to Sapphira and the Slave Girl.

While I do not personally believe that it discredits her idea entirely, Stephen Crane's ability to contradict this major theme in the first chapter of Morrison's book presents me with an interesting feeling of doubt. Also the fact that Cather wrote her novel almost fifty years after Crane raises some interesting arguments. However the simple style and descriptions Crane incorporates into his novel really allow him to challenge this judgement passed by Morrison. He is able to rise above the criticism to create a truly great novel.

The Death of the Critic

In Katie Roiphe's essay "With Clarity and Beauty, the Weight of Authority" some great points are brought to the table on the subject of the death of the formal critic. She points out that in our modern day, we are captivated by our shiny new Andriod phones, iPhones, iPads, and other such media delivery devices. This, she points out, is a major contribution to the dying breed. She also points out that the professional critic is being slowly beaten to death by the innumerous ammounts of amateur Amazon reviewers, who spew thier minds into the depths of the internet. This, however, gives professional critics a clear and precise job. Roiphe points out that it is now, more than ever, the job of the critic "to write on a different level, to pay attention to the elements of style." She then urges critics to accept this responsibility and use it to take thier "art" to the next level. To "be ambitious and brash...connect books to larger currents in the culture...identify movements and waves in fiction...carry books back into the middle of conversations at dinner parties." She urges critics to pay close attention to the craft of thier writing, for that is the only thing that sets them apart from all of the "Amazon reviewers and bloggers clamoring for attention."

I very much agree with the points made in Roiphe's "With Clarity and Beauty, the Weight of Authority." I feel that the critic is very much being overshadowed by these unfortunate amateur reviewers (hopefully I do not belong in this group, but I have little hope that I have acheived a level higher than that of Journeyman Critic).  I love how she gives critics a very specific goal, to trancend the level of the amatuer and reach for something higher, to strive to create an art. One of my favorite parts of this essay, however, is her allusions to modern authors, including Susan Sontag, Jonathan Franzen, and Gary Shteyngart; A few of whom created novels which would later appear under my Christmas Tree. I loved this essay, Roiphe presents her points very articulately and caters to emotions that many in the literary world can harbor sentiments to.

The Great Gatsby

I really enjoy this book, if not for the content, for the style of writing that Fitzgerald posseses. He is able to create a wholly beleivable dialect for his characters and also eloquently describe the situations and surroundings. This lets me enjoy the experience of reading The Great Gatsby. I do not really feel a connection to the characters or story as of yet; however, I feel a connection to Fitzgerald himself. I am urged to continue to strive for beauty in my writing, as he did. Though his prose seems effortless it is the result of many revisions and perseverence.

This perseverence shines throughout the entire novel: in the way he pens character interactions, in the way he casts shadow upon seemingly flawless featrures. He is able to create a beautiful style of writing. However I still find myself lacking the urge to continue reading, other than for his glorious prose. I feel that the adventures of aristocracy are lacking something. I can't quite point it out, hopefuly I will be able to by the end of the novel.