File spoon-archives/phillitcrit.archive/phillitcrit_1997/phillitcrit.9707, message 108


Date: Thu, 24 Jul 1997 13:23:38 -0500
From: tomdill-AT-wc.stephens.edu (TOM DILLINGHAM)
Subject: PLC: searc sophistication


1757-1827 to be more precise.                      
Perhaps I underestimated the sophistication of searc's flashy
provocation.  Now we see that it does indeed parrot the 
postcolonial theorists' line (which has certain strong points
and real value, no doubt), though the suggestion that
Blake's "Tyger" is most anthologized *because* it is "racist"
(a wildly implausible assertion) and that is shares, with
"all the romantics" a fascination with the "exotic" (closer,
but still no cigar, buddy) rendered the initial posting on
the subject completely worthless.  The response and second
posting made some more useful references, but the sweeping
generalizations (as though all postcolonial theory were 
unassailable and as though no one else had thought deeply
about Blake's place in relation to European or English
Romanticism--certainly as places go, very problematic--
or in relation to his views on race and "the other"--what
a tired and frayed cliche that poor little word has become
at the hands of some theorists) do not bode well for 
useful discussion.  Of course all concepts require careful
attention and re-vision in the light of new theory about the
relationships of Europe with the colonialized and oppressed 
peoples, but flippant (and undefended) dismissals, not to mention
rash and indefensible assertions, are unlikely to put
new theory in a positive light.  IN fact, they are very much 
the stuff of the backlash against even the most careful and
valuable theoretical explorations.
By the way, Harmon doesn't answer the question of "why" The Tyger is
the most anthologized--he merely asserts that it is so if Granger's
is to be believed.
Tom Dillingham

   

Driftline Main Page

 

Display software: ArchTracker © Malgosia Askanas, 2000-2005