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From: Ellen Levine <ellenlev>
Date: Sat, 23 Jul 2005 09:28:16 -0400
Books indeed reflect the society in which we live (the society setting of a story, is perhaps more accurate), and people in a story shouldn?t be manipulated to satisfy certain philosophies. But that?s just bad writing; a whole range of ?philosophies? exist. Of course at certain historical moments, particular ideas gell and ?new? movements, but I don?t for one minute believe that there weren?t girls who chafed at restrictive roles before the feminist movement emerged. Are we remembering Susan B. and Elizabeth Cady Stanton or only the contemporary movement? And do you think Susan B. and Elizabeth C. emerged full-blown from the head of Hera? Would we question this if before the Underground Railroad, a slave in America rebelled and ran away? Would we say he/she would never have thought of freedom; that?s a mid 19th century concept?
When the phrase ?politically correct? was first used, conservatives invoked it for all intents and purposes to cut off discussion. Make a progressive point, critique from any place left of right and you were
?politically correct,? always said with a slight smile. And we were muted. We censor ourselves. No girl in the 13th century would ever not want to marry her father?s choice. Anachronistic we shout. I think that?s nonsense. Books reflect the society of the setting in at least two ways ? characters who voice the socially- accepted norms and those who butt up against them. It?s the expression used to reveal thoughts and emotions, language employed that can be anachronistic. But ideas, heavens, we?re not so radical or advanced to be the originators of probably anything.
The point is why are we using an idea-check to see if a book works? Are the characters rich, the story engaging, the conflict gripping, etc. etc.? Choice is indeed the issue ? and that includes writers as well. People with every feeling, impulse, drive are out there. And our characters are our choice from that full spectrum. Let us not become yet another PC police.
Sorry for the long post. But this has always troubled me.
Received on Sat 23 Jul 2005 08:28:16 AM CDT
Date: Sat, 23 Jul 2005 09:28:16 -0400
Books indeed reflect the society in which we live (the society setting of a story, is perhaps more accurate), and people in a story shouldn?t be manipulated to satisfy certain philosophies. But that?s just bad writing; a whole range of ?philosophies? exist. Of course at certain historical moments, particular ideas gell and ?new? movements, but I don?t for one minute believe that there weren?t girls who chafed at restrictive roles before the feminist movement emerged. Are we remembering Susan B. and Elizabeth Cady Stanton or only the contemporary movement? And do you think Susan B. and Elizabeth C. emerged full-blown from the head of Hera? Would we question this if before the Underground Railroad, a slave in America rebelled and ran away? Would we say he/she would never have thought of freedom; that?s a mid 19th century concept?
When the phrase ?politically correct? was first used, conservatives invoked it for all intents and purposes to cut off discussion. Make a progressive point, critique from any place left of right and you were
?politically correct,? always said with a slight smile. And we were muted. We censor ourselves. No girl in the 13th century would ever not want to marry her father?s choice. Anachronistic we shout. I think that?s nonsense. Books reflect the society of the setting in at least two ways ? characters who voice the socially- accepted norms and those who butt up against them. It?s the expression used to reveal thoughts and emotions, language employed that can be anachronistic. But ideas, heavens, we?re not so radical or advanced to be the originators of probably anything.
The point is why are we using an idea-check to see if a book works? Are the characters rich, the story engaging, the conflict gripping, etc. etc.? Choice is indeed the issue ? and that includes writers as well. People with every feeling, impulse, drive are out there. And our characters are our choice from that full spectrum. Let us not become yet another PC police.
Sorry for the long post. But this has always troubled me.
Received on Sat 23 Jul 2005 08:28:16 AM CDT
