Date: Thu, 31 Aug 1995 10:35:22 -0400
From: <ksumner-AT-bosshog.arts.uwo.ca>
Subject: Re: The Concerns of the List


I can't respond to everything Gareth raised in his note, since I don't have
the time.  However, some points:

I suggested de Certeau because I thought it would have a wider appeal than
the more specific readings I'm doing for my thesis, because I would benefit
from an exchange on his work (and yes -- a debate on Certeau's
"appropriateness" for poco issues would be welcome), and because he is
frequently made use of or reference to by postcolonial critics.  I feel
like I need to have an understanding of de Certeau's work, and if any
others feel the same way then I do not think that this is an inappropriate
place for this discussion.  And surely since not everything here is to
everyone's taste, one can simply not "tune in" to what one is not
interested in?  I seriously doubt if de Certeau is suddenly going to
*dominate* this list and squash out any other concerns.

And, once more, I would say as others have:  If you don't like what's being
talked about here, propose another discussion.  Why not choose one of the
readings in that long list and start talking?

Unlike some of the posters to this list, I am somewhat new to the world of
poco literature, criticism and theory.  I am exploring, experimenting, and
interested in a huge amount of stuff including "Euro-American canonical
theory."  (And canonical or not, I've never come across de Certeau in a
course, reading group or as part of my comps, and I know many others
haven't, which is why I had suggested reading him.)  Gareth suggests that
some texts aren't discussed on the list because they aren't read, but I
don't see the logic there.  I've read many of the readings he suggested.
I've read lots of other things too. I've proposed one author's work.  This
proposal does not summarize the general bent of my readings or interests,
but it does represent a current line of inquiry and also anxiety.  My
anxiety only increases when Gareth speaks with such certainty about the
appropriateness of reading Certeau here. I know you were gentle Gareth, and
constructive, but I don't have the benefit of "knowing" whether de Certeau
is appropriate for this list or not.

Not only are there different interests on this list, but different levels
of experience.  Gareth pointed out that there is often an assumption on
this list that everyone involved in the debates knows what certain terms or
ideas mean, when in fact some things need to be more carefully explained.
I don't know what de Certeau means, but I'd like to start trying to find
out.  If there's really not more than one or two others who share this
interest (although numbers alone shouldn't really determine this, since
lots of interesting discussions have been maintained by only a very few
folks), I would be happy to make this discussion private.  We could
exchange addresses and talk to each other.

Suggestions are welcome,

Karen
ksumner-AT-bosshog.arts.uwo.ca




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