If we in the 21st century stand on the shoulders of giants, it must be a particularly light load for the giants - as there seems to be a dearth of intellectual weight in the current era.
Can you think of any writer as essential as Charles Dickens alive today? Or Tolstoy? Or Emily Dickinson? Or Hemingway? Or Joseph Conrad? Or Jane Austen? Or Voltaire? Or Mark Twain?
For that matter, can you think of any writer alive today who is essential not to you personally, but to our mutual understanding of what it means to be human? The emphasis must be on mutual, because it is just such touchstones of common understanding which have provided the glue of culture and society for at least the entire era of civilized life.
You can certainly name good writers - as diverse as Margaret Atwood and Cormac McCarthy, as entertaining as Philip Roth and Joyce Carol Oates, as poetic as Toni Morrison and Isabel Allende, as magical as Gabriel Garcia Marquez - but will any of them have an impact on mankind's continuing redefinition of itself?
Critical thinking is in critically short supply these days, and perhaps the explanation is that our modern world has chosen to educate itself on a diet of Conan, Borat and Oprah instead of Emerson, Rousseau and Dickens. We are limited only by our aspirations, but doesn't that mean this current generation is stuck inside an incredibly small box called TV?
Yes, we still read, but we read books with titles like "Mommywood" (by Tori Spelling no less) or "Be Careful Who You Love" (identified on Amazon.com as "the explosive definitive account of the Michael Jackson saga"). If we read Jane Austen at all, it is in the form of "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies."
And yes, I know this is an exaggeration. There are some people who still read classics, but the point is not about the classics; it is about where our collective mind is today, and trust me it isn't on the eternal verities that Faulkner spoke of in his Nobel acceptance speech. What we do together is watch "American Idol," read or write inane comments on Twitter, or line up at theaters to see the latest installment of "Harry Potter."
The novelist William Faulkner warned of such a time, a time of defeat and despair, and it is worth paying heed to him, one of the last of the giants. He was speaking of writers, but it's almost as though he could be speaking of our declining culture when he warned his peers to hold on to "the old verities and truths of the heart, the old universal truths lacking which any story is ephemeral and doomed - love and honor and pity and pride and compassion and sacrifice."
Faulkner said that without those values, a writer "labors under a curse. He writes not of love but of lust, of defeats in which nobody loses anything of value, of victories without hope and, worst of all, without pity or compassion. His griefs grieve on no universal bones, leaving no scars. He writes not of the heart but of the glands… he will write as though he stood among and watched the end of man."
Faulkner said he "decline[d] to accept the end of man," but that was because he saw the poet and writer as capable of "help[ing] man endure by lifting his heart." I wonder what he would have thought of this strange doldrum of literary inactivity at the start of the 21st century. Perhaps writers are the canaries in the mine. If their voice is silenced by the poisons in the air, the toxins in our culture, then the song of mankind may well be next.
n Frank Miele is managing editor of the Daily Inter Lake and writes a weekly column. E-mail responses may be sent to edit@dailyinterlake.com
Woody
Here we stand at the precipice of the greatest advancement of mankind in history and some of us want to look over our shoulder and wonder why things aren't like they used to be. We have not even scratched the surface of the possibilities that the great thinkers of out age have provided us. We can communicate our beliefs and feelings with anyone, anywhere, instantly. If we are ill we can consult with experts anywhere in the world. Great writers will emerge and they will warn us of the future potholes. And, their writings will be, in retrospect, quoted because of the great foresight they had. All that it takes to make them seem to be geniuses is a healthy dose of hindsight.
FutureResident
Frank - excuse me if I ramble a little; it's the 4th and I definitely had my share today. To me, this sounds like the never-ending recycling of the sentiment "the kids of today...." spoken from a book nerd's point of view. My generation X crowd was casted as huge "slackers" that would never amount to anything. Incredibly, against all odds, somehow we actually have done quite well. Although I agree that we as a nation are incredibly spoiled, easily distracted, lacking in critical thinking, bombarded by the entertainment industry and generally intellectually challenged; I don't think the lack of talented authors or the impact of literature have much to do with it. I think it has much more to do with the explosion of technology and complacency of those born into a country of great wealth and few real challenges in life. Art, personal expression, and the cultural impact of such expression has a tendency to reinvent itself over and over. The authors you mentioned were talented but also born in a different time, when literature was one of few only forms of entertainment of the masses. Such an environment would obviously inspire more people to become writers. Now,
FutureResident
we have 20 different paths to follow, so the next Jane Austin might be inspired to produce movies instead - blasphemy, I know, but reality. I think you put too much weight on the cultural impact and importance of these literary giants. It's OK, you are a lover of literature. I'm sure that some people felt the same way a century after Socrates or Platos, or a century after Mozart, etc. If we defined our intellectual decline by way of music, or a century after Michelangelo - yet, somehow great things were accomplished later in history anyway. I welcome all the classics and the new forms of art, entertainment, communication, expression, etc. Maybe it's that philosophical difference of a conservative pining for the past and a liberal welcoming change? I read many of those classics in school and they had very little impact on who I am . But, I read a novel last year that blew me away - a book considered by many book nuts as one of the greatest they've ever read, and you've likely never heard of it (Shantaram). Why? Because literature is not the king anymore, but that doesn't lessen its value overall.
FutureResident
So, now that I've addressed this week's column, a topic I predict will die an early death, I'll dare to venture into the dreaded side topics..... How do you conservatives feel about Palin resigning? When the going gets rough, quit! Wow, great role model. Her altruistic self will be just fine with her $7 million book deal, lecture circuit, talk show?, etc. Thank gGod she's not in a position of real power, responsibility, criticism and stress.....
Rob123
Ah, Frank. You've touched the nerve that all who care seem to share. Plato's alter-ego Socrates expressed it well, as you know, and chose the Hemlock over the Sophistry of the State sponsored gGods and it's shallow view of Reality. And literature, the dream of what could be if we only allowed ourselves to think and love, continues the tradition (for Conservatives) of questioning and growing (for Liberals) that which we experience. Today, assuming we don't blow each other up in a fit of anger, has the potential of electronic democracy allowing all to share thoughts with everyone, everywhere. So much information, so many points of view, yet still impossible to grab and hold and finally 'get it'. Glimpses, occasional coming together of feelings and thought in one big "Yes"; then the stream reveals itself as not static and constant but ever changing, always becoming-itself-as-such. Great Literature is and will be, always a snap shot. The trick is to appreciate it, and pass it on. And never fall into the Aristotelian trap of separating Being from Becoming. They are one in the same. Think about it; occasionally, it all fits. Yet on the other hand, spend two weeks painting the
Rob123
(Cont).... outside of your house and making everything fresh and pretty and ya just know the Tax Assessor is going to drive buy and agree with you that "This is absolutely beautiful" and scribble down notes for future correspondence. How do you keep your sense of humor when ya know what's going to happen?
Rob123
FutureResident: As you wonder about Palin and try to decide if she has taken a High Road to 2012 or 2016 like Fox News points out; or has figured out she's over her head and quit like CNN likes to point out; I hope that she returns to acedamia and takes classes in subjects besides Communication so that her little Narcissus state of being grows some depth. I think back at the Horror of the Free Mason Founding Fathers and the election of Andrew Jackson. The Horror.......Yet we survived? Personally, I will take a wait and see attitude.
Echohawk
Has the entertainment industry sunk the Western literary tradition? Perhaps, although Mr. Miele's article reminds me that Jane Austen sold about 1000 copies of her novels in her lifetime, and just a handful of Emily Dickenson's poems were published in her lifetime. Great literature survives the test of time. What's popular today is quickly forgotten when that author/entertainer dies. To be blunt: Great writers take the long view and mass entertainment can't make a buck on the long view. This does not mean that great writers aren't writing. They are, they're just a lot harder to find these days.
Woody
Blake Thank you. I have made a great effort to not take part in the "woe is me" theme of the last couple of weeks.
SorrySOB
Frank. Thank you writing a nonconfrontational article this week and not placing the end of the world on Obama's shoulders for a change (see next week). The way I see the classic reading "problem" you describe is when I was a lad in the 1960's my mom would look back at her early years and think the same thing. I used a calculator in school instead of figuring out the problems in my head - unheard of! I was told that my mind would stop working if I relied on gadgets so much. I personally don't like the Twitters and Tweets but it is not stopping and I'm going to try to raise my son the best I can through it all.
sensible
"Critical thinking is in critically short supply these days, and perhaps the explanation is that our modern world has chosen to educate itself on a diet of Conan, Borat and Oprah...." add, limbaugh, hannity, colter, o'reilly, beck and the whole horde of propagandists posing as impartial observers of our culture. the "Foxification" of news and "limbaughzation" of our public airwaves have resulted in a generation of misinformed and misguided followers of delusion. the dishonesty that has become commonplace just in order to advance an unprovern (some say disproven) idealogical blueprint has reduced our discourse to petty name-calling and blame-throwing. what passes as "news" these days is nothing but pre-packaged idealogy shaped to circumstances at hand. and unfortunately, most don't realize they've been lied to for years (decades - since reagan) and are being lied to now.
kimberprincess
As others have said, of course we have writers today who have written what are already, or in hindsight will be, considered "classics"-Larry McMurtry, Harriet Lee, Ken Keasey, Alice Adams, and hey, james jones...not likely Frank has read those, cannot imagine he found Philip Roth "entertaining" ...but funny to think about...no, the literary arts are not dead, well, not to people who read anyway. As someone else said, this is like my grandfather b$tching about "that loud music you young people listen to" .
kimberprincess
Yup, those of us who took full part in them college years did us some lernin and actually read the Book Reviews when we can..folks is still writin'. Yes, Future Rez, very interested in the Palin move...noteworthy that she could not even finish her term. Maybe she will consider a radio career for a few years to garner a soapbox, otherwise hard to see what power base she will operate from but I guess we'll see.
lousia
Thanks Frank for a great column as usual. I have to say i love to read, and I do it even over watching our great some stupid t.v. programs. years ago there was really some great stories and writers, I think now some not all writers are out to see how filthy there books can get and greed plays a big part in writing books. I know this is my opinion so if you want to run me down for writing this ,go ahead. seems like most of you know how to do that
Bronco
Blake, thanks for the compliment. I much covet my inclusion into this gaggle of intellectual contenders, these forward thinking herpetologists (we do tend to study and discuss our reptilian brothers' primitive rationalizations whose "Energy is Eternal Delight." {another Blake}). But I digress. People spend less than 100 hrs a year reading but watch TV for 2000 hrs. 80% of American adults did not buy or read a book this year. 70% have not been in a bookstore in the last 5-years. 58% will not read a book after high school. Television is too easy. It takes little brain power. Thus our little brains. I can't agree with Editor Frank that there exists a âdoldrum of literary activityâ (though doldrums is the proper singular). As a published novelist I am exposed to quite a bevy of writers from childrenâs to nonfiction to screenplays. We see a movement, an evolution if you will, of conceptual skills rather than literacy skills. Young adults and even kids, grasp concepts and ideas quickly and without the use of plodding, word-by-word descriptions that reveal and emphasize detail. They can work out the details themselves given time and introspection. Itâs sometimes hit or miss but they are
Bronco
cont...but they are using their brains.
kimberprincess
Interesting, Bronco and congrats on your publication. I wonder about those stats, though, wonder what their sample characteristics were. In some social circles/maybe regions of the country, maybe professions, those stats don't feel accurate; where most people do read avidly (those who don't consider books "filthy") and watch TV a lot less, and are interested/invested in current writers. I would think "On the Road" certainly defined a culture, the poetry of William Carlos Williams, JD Salinger's short stories, not to mention S African Nadine Gordimer. Faulkner may have been a "giant" but hardly the last. Each generation gets to decide for itself what its "classics" are.
daveWI
obama is the most respected world leaders now. That might be because there is not much to choose from.
sensible
louisa: i've met few at this post that want to "run me down" for opinion. however, there are many intelligent readers willing to correct others on misstatements or mischaracterizations.......and that is good. i'm sorry you feel that frank and others are some how mistreated by intelligent corrections. perhaps you need to re-evaluate your political belief system and its honesty and integrity. i do it all the time.
lousia
Thank you sensible for your opinion, and your advice, but no thanks i will stick to my political beleif system. and i like Franks writings he makes alot of sense, thats my opinion, you have yours and i have mine and i won't argue the point.
sensible
so be it, lousia. i do suggest you turn off fox news, however. the name itself is an oxymoron.
MontanaJim
Gee....Where do I start? Louisa....your comments constantly in favor of Frank would have more meaning if you had correct punctuation and spelling. My personal belief is that there are many writers out there today who will be well known for their works fifty years from now. It just takes a little time. As Kimber said earlier, it's easy to decry the current authors. I have a lot of faith in this generation and their ability. I have met enough of them to feel comfortable about my old age.
kimberprincess
Thanks for the source, Bronco. I still think there might be some regional variation, but maybe not. And sure, lots of distractions from reading but I remain optimistic, even for our happy valley, folks like louisa who probably have trouble reading traffic signs, notwithstanding. But hey, even lil' ole Montana has given us James Welch (a must), Ivan Doig, Norman Maclean..hardly doom and gloom.....
naturalresources
One of my favorite authors is Michael Savage. His book...Liberalism is a Mental Disorder.... stayed on the New York times top ten list for several months. Who knows, maybe his non-fiction attempt at intellectual clarification of liberalism will withstand the "test of time". His insight on the subject is refreshing and his writings should be considered as a balanced referance for liberals who are searching for the truth.
Rob123
Bronco: "That was then but this now we are in holds some room to grow." Shouldn't now actually be 'now'? I don't have the time to read sentences twice inorder to understand. Time is money, ya know? (-:
naturalresources
FutureRes. your assesment of Palin may be a little short-sighted. She has merely cut the restraints of governership to enable her to deal with the reality of the left wing media machine that has clearly taken Obama under its wing. It's also amazing to me how the womens movement has been silent and enabled the "politics of personal destruction" to flourish while a member of their sexual persuasion, who could benefit all women and mankind in general , has been viciously attacked, repeatedly, and for no good reason, apparently, than her affiliation with religiosity. I would venture to say that Palin might just be the number one threat to the re election of Obama in 2012.
Rob123
naturalresources: (-: I don't think so.......but nice try.
naturalresources
Sensible, I agree he uses a radical approach to awaken the "sheeple." That may well be the only way to curtail the runaway leftist agenda that is destroying the American way of life that liberals , like you, seem to despise. He tells it like it is and all liberals can respond with is hateful namecalling and labeling remarks like homophobe,bigot etc. It smells of hypocricy. Savage is a very smart man and has been down the windy liberal path himself and now portays his love of country and is trying to expose the negative behaviors of our society. Try not to take it too seriously, sensible, He's not the only conservative author out there.
Editor
MT01: I am fully aware there are good authors out there doing great work. But as I said in the article: "You can certainly name good writers... but will any of them have an impact on mankind's continuing redefinition of itself?" That to me is the important question. Tom Robbins is fun, but not society-changing. Kerouac certainly had a huge impact on America, and rises to a certain stature, but he was very much a product of a world that has passed. Who today is having a comparable impact? And remember, it's not about which of our writers will be considered great writers later; it's about whether they will have an effect on our redefinition of ourselves. -Frank
naturalresources
Well, Bronco you'll just have to blame futureres. as he is the one who 'ventured" onto the topic of Palin in an earlier post here. He just could'nt resist the urge to belittle her and try to antagonize the right. That's what it' all about bronco. Left Right Left Right Left Right Left Right.....Harch!