The Greatest Novel of the 20th Century - Page 3

InchoateHand · #21 08-31-2005, 02:08 PM

Finnegans Wake got me. One of my many regrets from undergrad, before I become overly specialized in my present pursuits, was not taking a Joyce class on offer, from an absolutely excellent professor, that would have at least partially unlocked this complex and compelling, though ultimately too confounding, work for me.

thatpfunk · #22 08-31-2005, 02:09 PM

roflmao... what major themes of OFOTCN are outdated?

there is a little "more" to it than rebelling against the establishment. i mean jesus, did you even read the book or just watch the movie? it questions and tears at the fabric in which American society is based upon. the american dream is "outdated"? gee, i better go let some people know.

the form, structure, etc is spectacular as well.

TheBlueMonster · #23 08-31-2005, 02:10 PM

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You are none too bright. This is a thread soliciting opinions.

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Wow, thanks for the hostility. If it were solicting opinions it would ask for your favorite novel of the 20th century or one that influenced/inspired you the most.
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But let me guess, you are now going to claim to have read Ulysses, right?
How does one become qualified? Get literary degrees? Write books? Write criticism? Read?

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I have read sections of the novel and I don't claim to understand everything about it, but in claiming that it's the greatest I'm not stating my OPINION, but rather a widely held stance by most reputable literary critics.
And these critics got to the position of having their opinions listened to because they know what they're talking about.
Literary and art criticism are not as subjecive as most people think. Obviously critics are in turn criticized for having the"ivory tower" mindset, but there is a reason why they can claim one pice of work better than the other.
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Shutup already you elitist little prick.

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You just hurt your argument here buddy. Responding with unfounded personal animostiy to this situation? You're just an ass.

TheBlueMonster · #24 08-31-2005, 02:12 PM

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there is a little "more" to it than rebelling against the establishment. i mean jesus, did you even read the book or just watch the movie?

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I've read the book.
For someone so into reading, I guess you didn't really read my post. I mentioned that SOME parts were dated, not the whole thing. I said nothing about the other themes that still hold true.

InchoateHand · #25 08-31-2005, 02:12 PM

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Literary and art criticism are not as subjecive as most people think.

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If I was the sort of person who could roll on the floor and laugh my ass off, I would be doing it now. Instead I'll just nod my head a little sadly, and encourage you to read more than excerpts. And maybe talk to one of those crazy "literary" critics about subjectivity. And its absolute nature.

TheBlueMonster · #26 08-31-2005, 02:13 PM

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The Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison.

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Yes. Perhaps one of the most important.

InchoateHand · #27 08-31-2005, 02:14 PM

Really, how so?

TheBlueMonster · #28 08-31-2005, 02:16 PM

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If I was the sort of person who could roll on the floor and laugh my ass off, I would be doing it now.

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YOu don't strike me as that, just a world class [censored] for attacking me for expressing a viewpoint that you (for some reason) find personally offensive.

I'm not going to get into a debate with you here. I would love nothing better than to set you up in an email correspondance with some REAL literary experts, but I don't think they'd appreciate being harrassed by someone who calls them a "prick"

dibbs · #29 08-31-2005, 02:17 PM

Wake owned me, I can't even begin to comprehend it. We discussed it briefly in a survey course but since most people in the class just about vomited upon seeing it not much time was devoted to it. I really wish we had a Joyce class offered at my school. Happy birthday BTW.

thatpfunk · #30 08-31-2005, 02:20 PM

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I have read sections of the novel and I don't claim to understand everything about it, but in claiming that it's the greatest I'm not stating my OPINION, but rather a widely held stance by most reputable literary critics.
And these critics got to the position of having their opinions listened to because they know what they're talking about.
Literary and art criticism are not as subjecive as most people think.

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sorry man, you're catching a lot of heat here, but this might be the saddest thing I have ever heard anyone say.

aside from your stance on life and art, um, TONS of qualified critics can refute Ulysses. Which literary community are you listening to, the modernists, the postmodernists? the writers themselves? the professional essaysists? professors?

Take the elliot's Wasteland as an example. Many modernists view it as the greatest poetic accomplishment in the history of the english language. Meanwhile one who is more postmodernly inclined might call it forced, contrived and stilted (no thread hijacks please, if anyone wants to discuss the merits of the wasteland, we can do so in the other thread)

they are opinions, and if the effort and thought and background has been put in to their development, then they are valid.

what a way to go through life, sheesh.