Elif Batuman's essay concerning the role of modern criticism was thought-provoking if nothing else. The piece mainly asserts itself as a pensive analysis of the function of literary interpretation, laden with rhetorical questions, personal narratives and opinions, and allusions to great writers/thinkers of the past.
The main tactic employed by the essay is to juxtapose Freud's thoughts on how the dreams are simultaneously meaningful and arbitrary with Tolstoy's response to Stakhov's criticism of his Anna Karenina. The main point Batuman tries to make is that novels should be open to interpretation because the meaning that is afforded them is not corrupting the art form but actually reinforcing their significance.
I would tend to agree with Batuman. I may not be as long-winded as she but I do think she uses a valuable argument, despite her overuse of lofty texts and prestigious authors. Criticism is necessary to cement the meaningfulness of a work and plays an important role in framing the text for potential readers.
Pensive...most definitely. I liked your wording of her ideas, and I agree too. The criticism in todays world is something we should rely on even though it is not something that we enjoy. Oh the paradox that is criticism. "/
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