From: searc-AT-intex.ie
Date: Fri, 25 Jul 1997 10:53:54 +0000
Subject: Re: PLC: Searc's sophistry



1757-1827 to be more precise.  
>>This precision is inaccurate -who determines dates? The writers 
kept on writing after 1827 _ I was talking about the period not 
Blake's dates!!                    
Perhaps I underestimated the sophistication of searc's flashy
provocation.
>>>Why do you think I'm being provocative  or do Dillingers always react 
like that??
  Now we see that it does indeed parrot the 
postcolonial theorists' line
>>There's no such thing as postcolonial - its all in your head

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.
>>I did not suggest that it is anthologised because it is racist, 
thats ridiculous!! - Obviously the time delay means that I don't get 
the postings at the same time as you T1 heads - 
  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.
>>I obviously missed the mails which had all the useful comments -I'm 
not into postcolonial theory at all but what is the point of knowing 
which is the most anthologised poet?
Is it just a little game?

  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.
>>>>Lighten up - its only Blake - and knowing who is the most 
anthologised poet hardly illuminates out lit/crit faculities - 
Went to a new media space last night - a derelict building here in 
Dublin with loads of projections, music,  - it was good - you'd have 
loved it To and as I suspect your an undergrad you would have been 
among peers.