Essay 1: Option 1y: Spin-off from objective 7: Describe and evaluate differences and potential overlap between popular and literary forms of fiction and / or poetry.

Lauralie Pope

The Standards are Set, Now What?

I found the differences between academic and popular standards for literature to be an interesting subject that I wanted to understand further.  I think I can recognize the material in each category, but would have a hard time describing the differences.  Dr. White introduced us to the concept by comparing poems written by former students, Anissa Cantin’s “Prayer of a Shrine Clown” offers a popular sample, while Neelam Damani’s “Absalom’s Lament” is literary.  Dr. White then offered an example of a poem that fits sort of between the two categories using “Two Roses” as an example to demonstrate that these categories lie on a continuum and are not found in isolation. These comparisons helped me to begin to see differences in the two types of writing.  This concept was expounded on throughout the semester for both poetic and fiction genres.

I walked away wanting to write in a literary style as apposed to popular, as I discussed in my fiction revision account.  I tend to prefer the literary style over the popular and have to be careful not to judge the popular too harshly.  Minot states that, “Arguing seriously about our preferences is as pointless as debating whether dogs are better than cats.” (p. 34) However, distinguishing between simple and sophisticated writing styles becomes helpful for writers.  Popular standards for literature tend to be simpler, and academic standards follow a more sophisticated pattern.

Minot is careful to say that one is not better than the other but different from the other.  He goes on to describe that, “Essentially, sophisticated works do more in the sense that they explore the themes and the characters with greater insight than do simple works.  They also make more intricate and subtle use of plot and setting.” (p. 34) Sophisticated works can be described as “dense in meaning and complex in treatment.” (p. 8) and refers to the degree to which the work develops characters (and themes too) with complexity, depth, and range of insight.” (p. 35)

Simple styles of writing have their place as well.  They can become a great escape for a reader and are sometimes called “feel good” reading.  Often one person finds use of both styles in his or her life depending on the circumstances.  Former student Karen Heidrich stated, “It seems that literary fiction succeeds by transforming real-life experiences and by stressing the ambiguities that people often miss, looking at themselves and others.” I agree, I think that it is a more personal style because individual readers may walk away with their own interpretations as apposed to a simple statement of emotion that is universal.  Heidrich states about poetry that, “Forcing the rhythm or the rhyme is impossible to hide.  It stifles the emotion.  I felt like some of the pieces presented in class were weakened by the author's attempt to fit a message into a form.”  I also agree with this statement and would argue that sophisticated poetry probably won’t fit into a rigid form of rhyme and rhythm; however, I am sure there are examples out there to prove me wrong! 

I have not studied the distinction between simple and sophisticated literature for quite some time.  I vaguely remember doing so in high school and it has been informative to revisit the subject as an adult and a more experienced reader.  I have not come across the differences before in college courses.

The thing that I find false or suspicious about the distinction between the two styles of writing is that even though Minot is careful not to judge them as good and bad, clearly the literary form is more difficult to produce and seems to me to require more work; therefore, I would have to say it is superior.

The base of support for the popular or simple form is among the masses.  It is more likely to become a movie, or more widely read than that of its literary counterpart.  The more complex literature is supported in public schools and universities and tends to have a long shelf life.  That is to say it is read and studied over a long period of time, while its counterpart tends to blow through a population and become forgotten.

 . . .  As a teacher I do see value in the literary style more so than the other.  As a mother, and a Christian I find the popular styles exemplified on television and in magazines as offensive!  As a teacher I plan to encourage my students to ask more from entertainment than the tired old themes found in action, love stories and suspense.  I would go as far as to say that our society could benefit from more literary products than what is being modeled on television, radio, movies, and in novels.  These models shout to America’s youth that the mundane and mindless are not only acceptable, but preferred!  It is time that we evolve as a society and demand more sophistication in our popular literature. 

I would also go as far as to say that some simple forms of literature have had devastating effects on our youth. The fact that “sex sells” has disparaged our society!  I believe the proof to be the statistical information found in “Your Kids at Risk: How Teen Sex Threatens Our Sons and Daughters” by Meg Meeker, M.D.

I believe more proof to be found in “On Education” by Harry Brighouse.  The author argues that a flourishing life includes positive life experiences and a need to connect to or be comfortable within that life.  In order to fulfill these requirements one must possess the ability to reflect on various life styles, including one’s own, in order to make informed decisions.  That reflection requires education (in order to have access to many lifestyles, one must learn about our world) and observation of various lifestyles in order to for example, possess the ability to reflect on and analyze our materialistic public culture.  The observation of various lifestyles is a means of eliminating those that do not flourish.  I believe that the more literary we become the higher the standards we set for our youth …ourselves, and in the process eliminate the junk that passes for today’s entertainment.