Subject/Objective Reality/Illusion

[Paul Mackin]

"barbara100 at jps.net" wrote:

> Sheesh! now I'm more confused than I was.  Are you saying I've got it backwards, Paul?

No, not exactly backwards. Just using your post as a jumping off place to express my
dislike of the subjective vs objective readings idea. A personal idiosyncray. To me all
readings are subjective. Prefer that other distinctions be made.

Personal vs impersonal
Local vs Global
supported vs unsupported.

Semioticians or linguisticians have a word for overly personal readings. Is it
"empirical" by any chance? Don't know.



        P.

>
>
> Original Message:
> -----------------
> From: Paul Mackin paul.mackin at verizon.net
> Date: Wed, 21 Nov 2001 12:51:34 -0500
> To: pynchon-l at waste.org
> Subject: Re: Subject/Objective Reality/Illusion
>
> barbara100 at jps.net wrote:
>
> > So what are objective and subjective readings anyway?
>
> The normal way of viewing it is that reading and writing are subjective
> although there are objects involved -- the book lying open in my lap, the ink
> spread over the pages, the yellow tablet on my desk, the pencil., etc., etc. .
>  .
>
> > We love to toss those
> > words around--I remember them bouncing off the walls in class--but what do
> > they mean in the context of reading a novel?
>
> Not much I would honestly have to say.
>
> > A Thomas Pynchon novel, for
> > example. Is an objective reading one where we focus on the intent of the
> > writer--Gottfried as a gross example of the consequence of war and political
> > corruption--
>
> Subjective. How could it be otherwise?
>
> > and a subjective reading one where we feel the text through
> > personal filters--the flush of my cheeks when I pictured him stuffed into
> > his death capsule wrapped in bridal lace and Imipolex G?
>
> Blood rushing to face is objective.
>
> > If these are our
> > objective and subjective choices, I'd have to ask, How could we read one way
> > without the other? Objective/Subjective--it's like the yin and yang of
> > literature, and reality.
> >
>
> p.
>
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