Important Theoretical Works from the 21st Century?

July 13, 2006 10:52 AM

In 2001 Norton released the Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism. Stuart Moulthrop's 1993 article "You Say You Want a Revolution?" was the most recent piece included. If the Anthology were to be updated which more recent articles are important enough that they might be candidates for inclusion?

The problem I want to solve is that Norton didn't include any pieces from after 1993 and I wish they had. I realize this is subjective. Your subjectivity is welcome.

posted by Aghast. to Writing & Language (13 answers total)

Best answer: Check out The Crisis of Criticism, which contains Arlene Croce's New Yorker piece "Discussing the Undiscussable," about her refusal to see a Bill T. Jones Company performance that featured terminally ill dancers. As I recall, several of the essays in this collection respond to the issues she raises about art based in social issues.
posted by kelegraph at 11:10 AM on July 13, 2006

Here is a pdf of the Table of Contents. No William James and no Merleau-Ponty is my first thought, which doesn't address your question at all.
posted by xod at 11:20 AM on July 13, 2006

Response by poster: which doesn't address your question at all.

I agree.
posted by Aghast. at 11:55 AM on July 13, 2006

Best answer: I would think excerpts from Derrida's final books (The Work of Mourning, The Problem of Genesis in Husserl's Philosophy, etc.); probably something from Said's 2004 book, Humanism and Democratic Criticism; and I'd include something from Michael Berube's The Aesthetics of Cultural Studies.

This is a really wide-open question, though, and I could just list tons of things, things that might not fit any cohesive structure or direction, but then you'd start to see how difficult is the job of the anthology editor (I am one). I still think Leitch's anthology is excellent, too. You should email him a link to this thread and ask him to respond ([e-mail] - found here).
posted by mattbucher at 11:57 AM on July 13, 2006

A New Yorker piece is the best answer? Whatever....
posted by mattbucher at 12:30 PM on July 13, 2006

Response by poster: A New Yorker piece is the best answer? Whatever....

A New Yorker piece is not the best answer. I like the willful misunderstanding and distortion, though. Let's try not to run into each other again on this site.
posted by Aghast. at 12:47 PM on July 13, 2006

It's not willful misunderstanding. I sincerely don't understand how you can ask about the history of criticism after 1993 and then say, yeah, this one book covers it. I'm just curious as to what your train of thought there was.
posted by mattbucher at 12:52 PM on July 13, 2006

The ToC pdf? You're welcome.
posted by xod at 1:00 PM on July 13, 2006

Response by poster: I mark best answer for any answers that are helpful. You claim to have thought that I was saying "this one book covers" the history of criticism after 1993. That is willful misunderstanding or you are some kind of fool.
posted by Aghast. at 1:00 PM on July 13, 2006

Response by poster: xod- I have the actual book with me but thank you for your efforts nevertheless.
posted by Aghast. at 1:04 PM on July 13, 2006

It was for your readers.
posted by xod at 1:04 PM on July 13, 2006

Response by poster: I see. Thanks then.
posted by Aghast. at 1:21 PM on July 13, 2006

Without falling prey to the unproblematic linking of a Norton anthology selection with "importance," I do think that some useful inclusions of authors I've enjoyed who are not already represented might be Badiou, Royster, Ricoeur, and Lakoff & Johnson.
posted by mrmojoflying at 2:03 PM on July 13, 2006