MDMD: Subject/Objective Reality/Illusion

[Terrance]

Judy Panetta wrote:
> 
> And why not Madonna? (Don't bother. It's not that important.)

I said Madonna, I didn't say not Madonna. Of course Madonna and Madonna
and more Madonna. 


> Very binary. I may be reacting more to the "trend" of criticism than to what
> you're saying. Classifications. Very handy for databases. Or cataloguing a
> collection. Or dissertations. More fairly...within the limitations of
> language, description relies on pre-established labels. An awkward device
> although I doubt that the academic community would consider other methods of
> expression. More edginess, I agree. If you would be so kind to entertain
> this thought: While artists have strove to break out of/break away from
> conventional forms, would you agree that the critics have not? (I'm going to
> leave this question without explanation. As much as I want to elaborate, I'm
> more interested in first reaction. If ya'll would indulge me.)

I think critics have. Clearly they have. Of course critics are very
creative people, they are often just as imaginative as the authors they
write about. Sure, the history of criticism is all about pushing the
envelope. Speaking of envelopes being pushed, Woolf is again, a very
good example of a critic who strove to break out and did.


> 
> > Paul N was talking about the function of an author and I know there are
> > quite a few people that won't like what Foucault says about what an
> > author is and how applying the St. Jerome school of literary criticism
> > may not be very useful or appropriate tp Pynchon....but anyway...it's
> > simply another way to bring out the richness of texts and it might help
> > us stay on track.
> >
> > This all gets me to thinking about the Subjunctive. That's what I'm
> > working on these days, Foucault and the Subjunctive in Feminist Mexican
> > Fiction.
> >
> Sounds yummy, Terrance. Really. I confess to having not fully wrapped my
> imagination around "subjunctive." If you care to elaborate, please do. And
> someday I'd like to explain why the term Feminist Mexican irritates me.
> Meanwhile, I'm going to review what an author is.
> 
> Best,jp

It's a really big shoe, I promise. 
Moody too. Rilke even. 

Feminist-Mexican? Yeah, well, having lived and taught in a small town in
Mexico where my "wife" had to wear a dress and couldn't drive a car I
get your drift.  There are feminist Mexicans. Male ones even. But it's a
silly term and overall my post is sloppy. What else is new? Don't take
anything I write once as the gospel according to Looook this guy sounds
like a....

"What I tell you three times is true."
	- The Captain, Hunting of the Snark 

http://www.ceafinney.com/subjunctive/index.html

                         It might be lonelier
                         Without the Loneliness—
                         I'm so accustomed to my Fate—
                         Perhaps the Other—Peace—
                         Would interrupt the Dark—
                         And crowd the little Room—
                         Too scant—by Cubits—to contain
                         The Sacrament—of Him—
                         I am not used to Hope—
                         It might intrude upon—
                         Its sweet parade—blaspheme the place—
                         Ordained to Suffering—
                         It might be easier
                         To fail—with Land in Sight—
                         Than gain—My Blue Peninsula—
                         To perish—of Delight—