Questions about Literature
July 13, 2010 1:47 PM Subscribe
Why does an author write fiction? Why do we read fiction? What use does it have? Is talking about "use" and fiction blasphemous because fiction is an art?
I am writing an essay attempting to answer these questions: Why does an author write fiction? Why do we read fiction? What use does it have? Is talking about "use" and fiction blasphemous because fiction is an art?
Are there any books, literary criticism, philosophical inquiry, or otherwise, that attempt to answer these questions? Feel free to put your two cents in, too.
I am writing an essay attempting to answer these questions: Why does an author write fiction? Why do we read fiction? What use does it have? Is talking about "use" and fiction blasphemous because fiction is an art?
Are there any books, literary criticism, philosophical inquiry, or otherwise, that attempt to answer these questions? Feel free to put your two cents in, too.
This post was deleted for the following reason: this isn't really what AskMe is for. Too chatty, too homework-seeming, not problem solving. Maybe try again next week? -- jessamyn
The purpose of art is to shove the creator's mores down your throat without you noticing. Fiction is no different.
posted by Electrius at 1:51 PM on July 13, 2010
posted by Electrius at 1:51 PM on July 13, 2010
Best answer: Sir Philip Sydney answered this very question in his work "In Defense of Poesy." True fiction, he says, will both instruct and delight. Fiction can touch upon very real themes and social conditions and, because it is not hampered by the need to remain strictly factual, the author can embellish or bring together events to magnify whatever theme they are trying express.
Pure history, Sydney says, instructs certainly, but may not engage the reader by delighting them. Pure fluff delights, but has no deeper meaning. Literature, true literature, can teach people because it engages them.
You might also want to check out Aristotle's Poetics, in which he explains the value of theater. The same ideas also apply to fiction.
posted by chatongriffes at 1:52 PM on July 13, 2010
Pure history, Sydney says, instructs certainly, but may not engage the reader by delighting them. Pure fluff delights, but has no deeper meaning. Literature, true literature, can teach people because it engages them.
You might also want to check out Aristotle's Poetics, in which he explains the value of theater. The same ideas also apply to fiction.
posted by chatongriffes at 1:52 PM on July 13, 2010
Response by poster: Oh, I should note that this isn't my homework. It's for a book I'm writing, a collection of essays. You can verify this at autodidactism2010.wordpress.com. I was just trying to get some relevant books, although discussion would be fine, too.
posted by zenja72 at 1:53 PM on July 13, 2010
posted by zenja72 at 1:53 PM on July 13, 2010
Best answer: The Lie That Tells a Truth might be pretty helpful. It's really a guide to fiction writing, but Dufresne has a great outlook/attitude that might answer some of your questions.
The title is worth a thousand words, in my opinion.
posted by two lights above the sea at 1:54 PM on July 13, 2010
The title is worth a thousand words, in my opinion.
posted by two lights above the sea at 1:54 PM on July 13, 2010
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Discuss.
posted by phunniemee at 1:50 PM on July 13, 2010