I'd like that very much!!! It's interesting to see other people's academic papers, and I've always been curious as to whether the US method differs from the French one. So please do.
No, not a doctorate, I didn't go that far. Just a Master's. And I did my master's thesis on D.H. Lawrence. If you wish i could email you my master's thesis. Always love to have people comment on it. But it's over 60 pages, so I don't if you have the time.
Nope, I haven't read all the thread about the God of Small Things. I will do so, but I read the book five years ago, so my memory of it is too hazy for me to really pass judgement on what you've all been saying!! So you have been to literary grad school.... OK. I'm reassured! Did you write a doctorate? About Lawrence? One of my MAs was on a few of his books. I read quite a lot of criticism, and I quite enjoy what's being done now (when it's clever), but only when applied to individual texts, not when speaking about literature in general, because you quickly find yourself spouting abstractions that have nothing to do with the experience of reading. But I went through that phase as well!!!
Thank you Bitterfly. I've had my fill of critical theory in Grad school, so I know it and have come to reject most of it. I think what has shaped my "common sensical" approach is that I've taken creative writing classes as well as literature classes. I try to look at literature both from a reader's perspective and a writer's, and by combining them I feel I strive to look at not how the work deconstructs but at the artistry of the work. There is some critical theory I admire, but it's not post modern for the most part. The "god" of literary theory for me is good, old Aristotle. Did you see my comments on The God of Small Things? I like what Gladys has pointed out and perhaps I under rated it. I think she has put together how the thematic elements work. I still feel it's structurally wrong though.
Ha ha, you didn't come off as harsh at all, at least not to a French ear (but I think we're more used to criticism ). No, actually, it's your post in that thread that made me write to you, because it's rather typical of what I like in your approach to literature: your stance is commonsensical without being silly, if you see what I mean; it doesn't reflect not-yet-digested critical theory but personal reflection on the subject (I liked all your interventions on the poetry thread for that reason too). That said, my point of view may be subjective, since I agree with your premise: that universality does exist, and that truly great works reach out to the universal (there must be a reason why Shakespeare seems to be appreciated nearly everywhere around the globe, for instance). And of course, I don't agree with the idea that literature is reducible to language only. But I'd noticed that before on this forum: there's a kind of divide between those who judge books only on language/style, and the others who also value content/imagination.
Yes it's in my profile and if you go to the very first page of the Introduce Yourself and Say Hi thread, you'll see my intro that gives a little background. Actually, go through my blog and you will learn a lot about me. Yes we disagree on some things, but we agree on many. I may be an engineer, but I do have a master's in english literature too. I doubled majored in undergrad and then went on to get a masters. Can you do me a favor, can you got to that American Lit thread that's out right now and see if I made sense at the end. I got a little stern I think with JBI and I feel a little guilty. Does it come across harsh and am I making sense? I'm referring to the universality discussion there.
Found out you were an engineer? I can hardly believe it. Bravo anyhow, because everything you write about literary topics finds a resonance in me, however much we may disagree on other subjects!
Ha, "cute", just the effect I was aiming at! I'm French, by the way - et je m'amuse bien sur ce forum américain!!!
I like your lit net name and avatar. Cute. Bye.
Oh, it's so nice of you to have left me a message! I'd noticed you as well; and as you say, who cares about differing opinions! Without them, the world would be a lot duller. No, I'm not from Italy, and I hesitated for quite a while before opting for Levi, because I like Soljenitzyne a lot as well. But I think he's the author who touches me most. If you haven't read him, you must really try him (If not now, when and The Truce, they're simply wonderful)!! Bye!
