Yes, Tolkien is Wonderful, but... - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Nerwen · 10-28-2007, 11:39 PM

Hi, everybody! Newbie here.

Now, regarding things literary: Iarwain, I think it's great that you're getting into the classics of your own accord. You did sound quite patronizing in your initial post; I guess by now you've realized that the fact that something's a revelation to you doesn't mean it is to everyone else.

To be honest, this Adler fellow's advice sounds absolutely deadly to me! I believe I speak for many people when I say that the thought of having to analyze everything in such a laborious fashion would completely kill my pleasure in reading. I appreciate it worked for you, but you need to understand that for people who are USED to reading complex texts it's quite unnecessary. Eventually, you will not need to use this method. (I never did, but then I grew up reading the classics.)

Also, you maybe need to consider other theories of the purpose of literature (or art in general), rather than taking Adler as the be-all and end-all. Many works which are considered classics do NOT teach moral or philosophical lessons, at least not in an obvious way. If you expect everything to do so, you're going to be disappointed.

10-28-2007, 11:39 PM	#37
Nerwen Wisest of the Noldor Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: ˙˙˙ssɐןƃ ƃuıʞooן ǝɥʇ ɥƃnoɹɥʇ Posts: 6,694	First post Hi, everybody! Newbie here. Now, regarding things literary: Iarwain, I think it's great that you're getting into the classics of your own accord. You did sound quite patronizing in your initial post; I guess by now you've realized that the fact that something's a revelation to you doesn't mean it is to everyone else. To be honest, this Adler fellow's advice sounds absolutely deadly to me! I believe I speak for many people when I say that the thought of having to analyze everything in such a laborious fashion would completely kill my pleasure in reading. I appreciate it worked for you, but you need to understand that for people who are USED to reading complex texts it's quite unnecessary. Eventually, you will not need to use this method. (I never did, but then I grew up reading the classics.) Also, you maybe need to consider other theories of the purpose of literature (or art in general), rather than taking Adler as the be-all and end-all. Many works which are considered classics do NOT teach moral or philosophical lessons, at least not in an obvious way. If you expect everything to do so, you're going to be disappointed.