Harry Potter: a great representation of our time?

[bluetad2001]

No: HPFGUIDX 77314

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "arrowsmithbt" 
<arrowsmithbt at b...> wrote:
> --- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Ali" <Ali at z...> wrote:
> > I wrote:-
> >  I am intrigued by the idea of what makes good literature, 
indeed, 
> >  what makes anything great.
> > 
> > Golly replied:-
> >  
> >  Quality - pure and simple.  I can't think of any classic novel I 
> > have ever read that wasn't well written.  The only exception was 
my 
> > great annoyance at the Iilad for repeating itself so often and 
even 
> > given that stylistic idiosyncracy, it had compensations.  Even 
the 
> > bible is well written at most points.  Job is powerful stuff.  
> > 
> > <snip>
> > 
> > 
> > You've rather made my point here though. Who defines quality?  
> > Quality is not objective, it's subjective. 
> > 
> > I do think that Jane Austen's books are classics and are "great". 
> > LOTR is different again. I find the story itself and creation of 
> > Middle Earth amazing, and yet, the first time I tried to read the 
> > books, I only got half way before I gave up in boredom. IMO 
Tolkein 
> > made brilliant stories, but was not always brilliant at telling 
them.
> > 
> <snip>
> > 
> > So you mean that the general populace shouldn't have the right to 
> > decide whether something is great or not? What is the alternative 
a 
> > body of say English Literature Professors dictating to us what is 
> > quality or what is great? <g>
> > 
> > Ali
> 
> 
> What fun!
> I wholeheartedly agree that the quality or otherwise of written 
works
> is subjective. It has to be. Start imposing objective criteria and 
you'll
> get some silly results. The Canterbury Tales become a collection of
> bawdy anecdotes characterised by poor spelling, Joyce lacks the
> ability to construct a decent plot line, is careless with 
punctuation,
> and so on.
> I think 'Literature' is a very slippery  concept.
> The OED gives the following definitions:-
> 1. Acquaintance with books, polite or humane learning...
> 2. Literary work or production, the realm of letters.
> 3. Literary productions as a whole, the body of writings produced
>     in a particular country or period.
>     Now also  spec., that kind of written composition valued on 
>     account of its qualities of form or emotional effect.
> 
> It's this last one that is the cause of contention. Particularly 
the last
> six words. HP does have an emotional effect on many of the posters
> to the site, it's form is better than most of the stuff produced 
these
> days, but *technical* analysis of the text shows it leaves something
> to be desired by some.
> 
> If we are arround in fifty years time we might be able to make 
better
> judgements as to its values. Whether or not the later books in the
> series match up to the earlier ones does not diminish their quality.
> Many claim acquaintance with Dantes 'Inferno'. How many read
> his 'Heaven'? Damn few. It's boring.
> 
> We also tend to forget that this series has been the work of a 
> neophyte; seven books plotted out by a beginner, planned as an
> entertainment, a tale to get lost in. Looked at from that angle it
> is a literary wonder. It may be a rough diamond, but still a gem.
> Thank you JKR.
> 
> Kneasy


Is there not also a case to be made for a prose style that is 
*appropriate* to the tale being told?  Would we enjoy Pride and 
Prejudice written in the style of James Joyce?  Or, in another field, 
Debussy played in the style of Beethoven?    

The HP series is, above all, the work of a storyteller and is written 
in that style.  If it was written in a prose style that was deeply 
and beautifully poetic it would hardly be appropriate to the content 
which is, apart from the superficial level of fantasy, very much 
about everyday life, ordinary people and real feelings.

The fact is that it is written in a vernacular style, everyday 
language, the way people speak, (run on sentences and all) and with 
some very down to earth humour.  Some people seem to think this puts 
it beyond the pale in terms of literature - great or otherwise.  I 
don't see why it should.  Did someone earlier mention Chaucer?

I would be surprised if it becomes a classic, but the term 'classic' 
is only earned in time, and even then, is open to dispute.

Alison