example versus literature

[cacian]

we lead by example
how come
our literature doesn't?

[Eiseabhal]

Because literature outside of communist states has no duty to lead. It exists for itself and its main purpose is entertainment.

[PeterL]

Words are merely words, but actions are substantial. You can say anything you want, and maybe some of it will be true or useful or something, but deeds speak much louder than words, and there is force behind them.

[Red Terror]

There are examples of solidly good didactic novels. For instance, The Jungle, What is to be Done?, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Common Sense et al. You could say these works lead and admonish and these are just at the top of my head. There are many others, surely.

[Drkshadow03]

we lead by example
how come
our literature doesn't?

It doesn't?

[ennison]

Don't ask Cacian's questions to make complete sense D S.
I don't want to engage on argument with a Marxist RT (quasi or real) Of course there are good didactic works. Some of them are my favourites . That misses the point. If the idea is on top, the art is usually childish or worse. Why is "The Ragged-Trousered Philanthropists" one of my favourite books? Not because it is an essentially Marxist Socialist tract but because the world described is one I inhabited as a worker. It is a book about real people in real work. It rises above its political intentions. If a book does not do that it has no art and is a manifesto. Interesting up to a point but the point comes soon.
I must go now. I am making fish stock from a monk tail cartilage and boy does it smell good.

[New Secret]

Leading through example is parrot hear parrot do.
When everyone sort of lurches on half-mindless they need leaders to charade them through the maze of life so they don't have to think for themselves.
Literature requires a mind to understand. We can't mix these two groups of people in great numbers. A few here and there maybe.

[cacian]

It doesn't?

of course not.
is one not noticed??

[prendrelemick]

Because examples are real world. Literature is cloud world.