The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post - Are There Any Valid Criticisms? (aka Kalessin's Rant)

Lush · 04-03-2002, 08:37 PM

*slaps herself on the head HARDER*

How could I forget T.H. White's The Once and Future King? Bad Lush!

This thread has been a satisfying read. In light of the previous comments regarding postmodernism and the 20th Century, let me say this: The Western world has become too disillusioned to appreciate fantasy. War, commercialism, terrorism, techonology, radicalism, systematic destruction of the environment, over-population, and the over-saturation with advertising have given rise to rampant cynicism; and not only that, they have made it cool to be a cynic. It is a badge of honor in artistic circles, and a darling of critics. As it has been mentioned before, fantasy is "too sincere" to be taken seriously.
To take it further, most of the people I know that do not like Tolkien, aside from the ones who simply gag at the mention of Elves and Dragons, criticise the fact that J.R.R. drew a very distnict line between the good and the evil, as in, "here are the pretty good people on this side, and here are the ugly villains on that side."
Beauty is a quality inherent in fairy-tales and mythology, and I will leave that alone entirely. As for the clear distinction between good and evil, I think it is something that the modern sensibility lacks, and thus rejects.
Of course, if the recent success of the FotR film is any indication, we may be in for some change.

[ April 03, 2002: Message edited by: Lush ]

04-03-2002, 08:37 PM	#34
Lush Fair and Cold Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: the big onion Posts: 1,770	slaps herself on the head HARDER How could I forget T.H. White's The Once and Future King? Bad Lush! This thread has been a satisfying read. In light of the previous comments regarding postmodernism and the 20th Century, let me say this: The Western world has become too disillusioned to appreciate fantasy. War, commercialism, terrorism, techonology, radicalism, systematic destruction of the environment, over-population, and the over-saturation with advertising have given rise to rampant cynicism; and not only that, they have made it cool to be a cynic. It is a badge of honor in artistic circles, and a darling of critics. As it has been mentioned before, fantasy is "too sincere" to be taken seriously. To take it further, most of the people I know that do not like Tolkien, aside from the ones who simply gag at the mention of Elves and Dragons, criticise the fact that J.R.R. drew a very distnict line between the good and the evil, as in, "here are the pretty good people on this side, and here are the ugly villains on that side." Beauty is a quality inherent in fairy-tales and mythology, and I will leave that alone entirely. As for the clear distinction between good and evil, I think it is something that the modern sensibility lacks, and thus rejects. Of course, if the recent success of the FotR film is any indication, we may be in for some change. [ April 03, 2002: Message edited by: Lush ] __________________ ~The beginning is the word and the end is silence. And in between are all the stories. This is one of mine~