Quote:
Originally Posted by Simon Hunt
Andrew--I'm curious to know whether your "come on" stems from either of these two objections, which seem to me the obvious ones to have regarding Dylan's prize:
Popular song isn't "Literature."
or
Dylan's work isn't "great" enough.
|
I think I'd be on dangerous ground in suggesting "popular song isn't 'Literature.'" It's an uncomfortably elitist position to take, and some of the great ballads (some of which I teach) are songs. So were Sappho and classical "poets." So this really isn't why...though I'm not entirely sure it is literature, exactly. Certainly art. But I have to say I haven't thought much about this aspect until you asked.
I guess I'd argue that, given other available options, I don't think his work is "great" enough. But even that isn't probably isn't enough by itself. I mean, this is in some way a matter of opinion.
Typically, I think the award has does well in highlighting and elevating less well-known (to American, but in many cases elsewhere) authors who deserve more recognition. Recently, those who have won are typically not international best-sellers. Perhaps it's time to go in the other direction. But this leaves me cold. I'll play some favorites, though, and get over it.
