Because I'm at work and don't have your email addresses with me:

[eleneariel]

melyndie and ladyvoranderun, here are your interview questions. You can either answer in a comment or email me. Thank you two so much. =)


1. What is your definition of "classic lit"?

2. Why should fantasy be excluded--or not--from the classic lit genre?

3. Is LotR worthy of being considered classic? Why or why not?

4. Any other thoughts on the subject are extremely welcome. Please expound on your views. ; )

Comments

[melyndie.livejournal.com]

Here you go! :-)

1. Classic literature is those books that have some artistic or literary value to them that have stood the test of time; classic literature also speaks truths about humanity in reflecting what exists in our world. Classic literature could not, for example, be something contemporary to our time. A recent release may be widely popular, but it has not had the time test. What is particular to time that verifies a classic's worth? It proves the universality of the book--its ability to speak to human nature throughout history. It is not plagued by fads in a certain period. There is something lasting about it. Popular fiction does qualify for being classic literature because it is written with the express purpose of entertaining its present audience. Classic literature has a nobler, wider purpose. Unfortunately it often is so that classics are overlooked within their time period or unappreciated, but time is their ally.

2. Fantasy fiction is popular fiction. It is written to entertain the reader. It does not seek to express truths about humanity by reflecting and investigating reality in a more keenly perceptive manner than ever before (for this is what classic literature does). Fantasy may speak truths about human nature, but that is not its main purpose, and it is not what it accomplishes foremost.

3. Although The Lord of the Rings trilogy is finely written, superbly crafted, and imaginatively invented, it should not be considered a set of classic books. This is not because it is not worthy, but because it does not qualify. As fantasy, the trilogy is popular fiction. Popular fiction should not be considered classic literature.

4. I do believe I have been verbose enough, but do please ask if you wish to have anything clarified or reworded for the sake of ease in quoting. :-)

[eattheolives.livejournal.com]

Thank you, thank you!

[ladyvoranderun.livejournal.com]

1. I agree with melyndie's definition of classic literature in that it holds some artistic or literary value and has stood the test of time (by test I mean that the piece is still widely read and accepted in the modern world). Another key factor to classical literature is that the theme is usually universal -- anyone can relate to them, no matter which culture they're from. Webster's 1913 Dictionary says it thus: "A work of acknowledged excellence and authority, or its author; -- originally used of Greek and Latin works or authors, but now applied to authors and works of a like character in any language."

2. Not all fantasy should be included from the classic-lit genre, because not all fantasy writing meets the high calibur of standard that is required for it to have artistic and literary value, nor has all fantasy stood the test of time. C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia is an example of a series that does qualify, J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter series is an example of work that may very well attain the title of classic in time (author note: I don't even like Harry Potter. This is why I had to look up the author's name, =P but regardless I recognize incredible artistic and literary value within it.)

3. J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings Trilogy should be considered as classical literature for the following reasons: a) It is wonderfully written with descriptive and creative detail that few authors of the time, before, or since possess. b) While it is true that fantasy is written primarily to entertain the reader, in more than the two examples listed above fantasy also serves as a tool to teach valuable lessons about humanity and the state of mankind (an element of classical literature), and LOTR does this. It may not be the main motive behind reading it, but it does still accomplish the requirement.

4. I think I'd just like to take a moment and clarify that by "classical literature" you mean fiction and non-fiction, and fantasy is a branch of fiction. The difference between fiction and fantasy is that fantasy involves worlds, peoples, and/or cultures not found in our world (though possibly still contained within or on our world), while Fiction is restricted to the known understanding of our perception of the world. Is this correct? I may have more to say later. ;-)

[ladyvoranderun.livejournal.com]

3. c) I forgot to mention that it is still widely read to this day, and has been translated into 38 different languages (See here. (http://www.tolkien.co.uk/information/faq.asp#12)). You won't see that happening with Star Trek fan fiction.

[eattheolives.livejournal.com]

w00t! Perfect materiel. Thank you muchly.

[franciscanorder.livejournal.com]

Knowing full well that I know nothing about anything when it comes to literature (God knows how I scored so high in the lit portions of the SATs), I'm pretty sure that The Iliad and Odyssey are considered classical works of literature, but those are very much what we would call "fantasy" are they not? It seems to me that any work that is considered a "game changer" of it's day, that is, a work that shook the literate world in one way or another, is a classic.

What side did you argue from?

[eattheolives.livejournal.com]

I was arguing against the bias that academics have against anything labeled "fantasy". The definition - or one of them - of a classic is something that has stood the test of time and has remained relevant and useful over several generations. Granted, MODERN fantasy is too young yet to be considered, but there's plenty of older fantasy (even something like, say, Alice in Wonderland, although there's lots that's older - even the ancient fantasy, as you pointed out) that could and should qualify.

I got a perfect score on the paper, too.