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This is *literature* only. No bullshit, no Harry Potter, no chick lit etc. What are your favourite works of literature and why?
I'm not sure what your definition of "literature" is, but Google says it's written works. That includes that Harry Potter, that teenage John Green shit, and all things in between... just saying.
But I can't exactly answer your question without giving you my life story, haha.
I actually didn't thumbs down you. *shock* *gasp*
You're acting a little petty right now. Blind accusations aren't the best route to go to - just because we were arguing doesn't mean I inevitably thumbed you down. You were simply replying your take on my comment - fair enough.
Someone just happened to not agree with you.
If Google says it then it must be right!!
So if you study English literature at university, you expect to read "Harry Potter, that teenage John Green shit, and all things in between?" Really?
Literature is written work of value. Harry Potter is just fiction, pop fiction, it can never be literature.
What word do you think should be used then, if not literature, to describe writing like Anna Karenina, Madame Bovary, Crime and Punishment, Pride and Prejudice, Hamlet, Macbeth etc?
I believe this is an American site, or at least it gives an American definition:
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/american-english/literature
Actually, no. I was being playful when mentioning Google. No need to be so defensive about this.
And I agree with your definition. Completely. Literature is written work of value. Yup.
Though what I don't think you understand is the definition of "value". Since you seem to have something against Google (which shows relative results, just for the record), let's look at what the "American definition" states.
Value (noun): importance, worth, or benefit
All three synonyms above are utterly subjective when in regard to literature. I assure you some teenage fan-girl out there VALUES the IMPORTANCE, WORTH, and personal BENEFIT of Harry Potter much more than Anna Karenina.
Do I? Not at all.
Do most? Nope.
But do some? Definitely.
For this topic, there is no explicitly universal answer to what is more precious than something else. Yes, the mass majority would opt for Macbeth over The Fault In Our Stars - but that in no way changes the fact that somewhere in this world, there is boy in his room tossing aside your so-called literature for his so-called literature.
What's considered valuable varies from person to person. It is blatant opinion - and last time I checked (on Yahoo this time, god forbid not Google), your opinion isn't fact.
Sorry if I sounded defensive, I did mean that remark it to be in jest, but every definition I have looked up is similar to the one in the link i.e literature is something very meaningful, not just any book.
Ok, so the teenage girl and the boy in his room...Their opinions are not of value in deciding what is and isn't literature. Their opinions may be interesting and insightful to how teenage minds think I suppose, but they do not understand enough and appreciate high art enough to be relied on for an intelligent answer. Harry Potter books etc. do not reach any significant levels of depth regarding far reaching ideas in the fields of sociology, philosophy, politics, human character study etc. There is no originality or striking beauty in the language. Therefore we can't learn anything significant about human nature and life from these books and no university therefore will ask you to write an analysis on such a book as there is nothing much to say. Yes, it's subjective to a point, but if you cant see that Macbeth contains a striking use of language, if you don't feel moved by Shakes' poetic language, and see a deep and fascinating character portrait in the main character...then you (not you personally), can't appreciate it and the literary world wont be asking or listening very hard to your so-called opinion.
If it's all blatant opinion and nothing at all like fact...then why would a university never ask you to do a deep analysis of a chick lit book like fifty shaded of grey? It would be impossible to do a deep analysis! It's not just someone being opinionated.
For something to be deemed literature or classical music, or just 'art' it has to reach a certain level of sophistication, depth, individuality and beauty. There will be disagreements to some extent, and yes its subjective. But generally for it to be published with a certain publisher and to do well in literary competitions and be taken seriously by the literary community (academics, writers, students, artists, thinkers) it would have to be of a certain standard - the community would have to be intrigued by it and it would make them think and want to analyse it further, and they would want to discuss it and compare it to other highly regarded literary works. It's sort of organic.
It's alright. But again, all I'm reading is opinion.
"...they do not understand enough and appreciate high art enough to be relied on for an intelligent answer."
Who defines what "high art" is? Is there this big congregation in which everyone comes together and chooses what literature to actually call "literature"?
Whether they be teenagers or grown men and women, their opinion should be taken into account.
A university wouldn't ask me to submit a deep analysis of Fifty Shades of Grey because in their eyes, along with yours, there is no meaning. But there was meaning to E. L. James when she was writing the novel. And there was meaning to the thousands of fans drooling while they read the series.
Let me just show you how easy it is to bullshit your way through an analysis:
"Fifty Shades of Grey enlightens its readers to the wonders of erotic touch. The mere title showcases the gradual growth of endearment between two sexual beings. E. L. James sheds light on the otherwise controversial topic of BDSM while enlightening her readers to the complex idea of venereal sensuality and the parallel bond of intimacy through pain."
...And I haven't even read the book.
What universities ask you to analyze doesn't prove "factual value" - if there even is such a thing.
"The Cat In The Hat" could be the epitome of sophistication, depth, individuality, and beauty to someone. And I agree - publishers have certain standards. But who defines those standards? Them. And they are human beings with opinions - this is why if you ask one publisher to read you work, they might publish it in a heartbeat. But ask another publisher? They might call the work utter shit.
Literature isn't math. You can't validly argue that 2 + 2 = 6, but you can argue that Macbeth + William Shakespeare doesn't necessarily = value. Depending who you're asking, of course.
We are all individuals. We can't just pick and choose what opinions to take into consideration. Anyone who reads has a say in what they regard as "organic".
I guess we will have to agree to disagree. "Factual value" isn't really what I mean to say but just the generally agreed worth within the literary community. Who defines high art is an organic phenomenon is what I'm saying. It comes about out of literary publishers being interested, being shortlisted or long listed for prizes, and academics and writers being interested in discussing your work. The same happens with classical music, paintings...
It's too hard to just choose. I'm a huge fan of fiction, both classical and modern. I simply enjoy a story, which I can get completely and utterly lost in.
State of Wonder by Anne Patchett is definitely one of my favorites.
As is One Hundred Years of Solitude.
I'm currently rereading Blindness.
I've been into Karen Russell lately.
And I'm reading some Faulkner AGAIN.
I have too many books to list favorite books. I'm better at thinking about what I've read lately.
I'm about to read Gould's book of Fish by Richard Flanagan, which reminds me that I love Flannery O'Conner LOL
I like classic metaphysics & philosophy. Here are a few favs:
Aristotle's Metaphysics
Plato: Cratylus, Phaedo, Parmenides, Timaeus & Critias
David Hume's A Treatise of Human Nature
The Analects of Confucius
Lost Fragments of Proclus
I have two Longfellow collections and an Emerson collection, each leatherbound and 100+ years old. Very cool just to have, but don't read them as much as I should.
Been into replacing my "escaping reality" that's usually a binge on the Xbox with reading more. I just picked this series up I've been reading for a couple years now. Robert Jordan's wheel of time. I'm on book 5 out of like 20.
I tried to read "Ulysses" by James Joyce once. I think people just praise that stuff because nobody wants to be the first to admit that it doesn't make any sense.
the Alchemist, Fifth Sacred Thing, My name is Red, Shadow of the Wind, Still Life with Woodpecker, and many others. Those are just some books I enjoyed off the top of my head that aren't your standard "great lit of all time". I don't really have a favorite. It's way too hard to pick one.
The Odyssey, The Epic of Gilgamesh, The Brief History
of Time, The Divine Comedy of Dante, The Once & Future King, Enders Game and Velocity.
One of my favorite literary books was Their Eyes Were Watching God, by Zora Neale Hurston.