From constructing his own languages to developing the universum of Middle Earth, J. R. R. Tolkien has left its mark on the literary world, as well as the field of linguistics. It might be interesting to look at how much his work has influenced the fantasy genre. How does Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit compare to newer conceptions like e.g. Game of Thrones? What elements of Tolkien’s work carried on to other fantasy narratives?
Another interesting aspect to this topic could be to compare the mythologies underlying Tolkien's work and other more contemporary mythology-based fantasy fiction novels - particularly those that articulate the hero's journey. – Toula7 years ago
Analyze how children's literature has changed over the years to be more inclusive and to have strong female protagonists. One example of this theme is The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munch.
This is an interesting topic. I cannot say I am familiar with many strong female protagonists in children's literature other than The Paper Bag Princess. That goes to show there should be more – Riccio8 years ago
You could start with Jo in Little Women and Anne in Anne of Green Gables plus Pippi Longstocking and Ramona and Beezus. – Munjeera8 years ago
It's stupid to have male heroes only since men are stronger than women, as a group, but not the dragons, etc., that are so often slain in children's literature. This father of two female dragon slayers says, "Great topic." – Tigey8 years ago
Look at Hans Christian Andersen's "The Snow Queen"--in that story, the little girl, Gerda, is the one who embarks on the dangerous journey to save the boy, Kay. Also, some of George McDonald's fairytales feature interesting female protagonists, as does Oscar Wilde's "The Canterville Ghost." – Allie Dawson8 years ago
Don't forget Hansel and Gretel, wherein Gretel is the one who ultimately defeats the witch. Feminism is a lot older than we think. Some other great examples of feminism in children's lit:
1. Amazing Grace (can't remember the author right now): Grace, a young black girl, is determined to get the lead in her class' production of Peter Pan, although her classmates say a black girl can't play the role.
2. Homecoming (Cynthia Voigt): Dicey Tillerman, 13, takes over the role of mother and leads her 4 siblings to a new home after their mentally ill mother disappears.
3. The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle (Avi): Charlotte, a young girl growing up in the 1830s, becomes a crew member on the Seahawk during a voyage from England to America, and helps put down a ruthless captain.
4. Dear America and American Girl books: many of these have strong female protagonists. Focus on Julie, Kit, and Felicity for particular AG examples. – Stephanie M.8 years ago
Also, try Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. – Munjeera8 years ago
Originally something of a joke back in the early 2010's, this song is still being commented on today, and has exploded to allow Rebecca Black to find a full fledged career as a Youtuber. With that being the case, can people really call Friday a horrible song? Or is it a youtube video of genius.
You might want to compare other (possible terrible) hit songs like Gangam Style, just so we can see that something catchy, but especially unique and terrible in other ways, is sometimes the perfect recipe. – Nate Océan8 years ago
Interesting that you've mentioned that it's still being commented on today since I haven't heard of it since it came out in 2010. What are you basing that claim upon? To justify writing an article about this today, it's important to make sure this topic is still relevant. – caitlinrose7 years ago
Agree with caitlinrose, I've not a thing about that song in forever, asides from that she's apparently taking her career into her own hands and trying to make something of herself properly these days. I feel like this topic's a few years too late. – TomWadsworth7 years ago
Slavoj Zizek has an interesting (and funny, imo) take on these kinds of songs. His main example is Gangnam Style, but any song that has a similarly overwhelming optimism to the point of annoyance is applicable, and the idea is applicable to pop culture more generally. He says the lyrics and the music are ironic: they mock the same system that they exist in and perpetuate, and this is the sign of a strong ideology. In essence, you can make fun of it, you can not believe in it, 'but belief still functions.' To hear it in his (better) words, do a quick search for 'zizek gangnam style' (5 mins long) or 'the desert of post-ideology' (a longer video, but he covers it at the very beginning. – Bod Jaman7 years ago
This is an interesting topic (and an interesting discussion taking place above me.) I would caution you to try as hard as possible to avoid trigger words such as "horrible" or "awful" when describing music - this insinuates that music is objective which is definitely not the case. Though most can agree that Rebecca Black's "Friday" is painfully bad, it might be wise to define "horrible" before beginning to write. – AndyJanz7 years ago
I also wonder, had that song been released today, would it garner the same reaction? Would Rebecca Black be subject to the same amount of hate today, when it seems that the internet has developed an increased awareness for people's sensitivities? – Jumana7 years ago
The plot of Carroll's Alice in Wonderland is both confusing and simple: a child, in what is said to be a dream, encounters and creates havoc in an alternate world. However, the meaning of the story has changed drastically over time. While some works (ex. Tim Burton's Through the Looking Glass or The Matrix) use the original story as a metaphor for fighting social and governmental oppression, many others, from the recurrent use of the name Alice for mentally unstable/institutionalized characters (ex. Twilight) to the discussion of drug/alcohol issues (Even in music, ex. Shinedown's Her Name is Alice) see in the tale a darker message. In both cases, these interpretations at first glance seem far removed from the story of a sleeping child. How have the connotations of the story changed over time, and are these changes reflective of the work's audience, the cynicism of the era the audience lives in, both, neither, etc.? Alternatively, since we know that fighting social norms was once considered a sign of insanity, are the various connotations actually conflicting, or are they in any way interconnected? In short, it would be interesting to take a closer look at the various legacies of Alice in Wonderland, dark and positive, and determine which have persisted over time and why. What do they say about the work, and what do they say about us?
I wonder if the book and movie Still Alice would fit here? It's probably a coincidence that the protagonist's name is Alice, but from what I understand, Alzheimer's can make you feel like you're falling down a rabbit hole. Whoever writes the topic might also want to look into Finding Alice, author Melody Carlson. It's a Christian-based novel but not overtly so. The protagonist, raised in a fundamentalist home, develops schizophrenia in college. She uses allusions to Alice in Wonderland, as well as appropriate descriptions, metaphors, and so on while going through the journey of mental illness. – Stephanie M.8 years ago
I actually had "finding Alice" in mind while writing this topic but couldn't remember the title and author, so indeed it would definitely be something to think about. Also, another work that the writer could look into is Resident Evil, though I'm not very familiar with it, since many of the elements (character called Alice, security system called Red Queen) reference the work [Note: This is about the movie, I'm not sure how different it is from the games]. I don't know if this falls into the first category of fighting oppression (I thing the games are about fighting a corporation), the second, or if it opens up new avenues of interpretation/legacies, but it could add to the writer's analysis to look into it. – Rina Arsen8 years ago
The video games "American McGee's Alice" and "Alice: Madness Returns" are excellent samples to study when exploring the mentally unstable Alice route. – KennethC8 years ago
There's also a short TV series called Alice very ''dark'' that maybe can help you or TV series ''Once Upon A Time in Wonderland''. The connotations have change with the contexts and the different theories that come up everyday thanks to the historical criticism. Regarding to fighting social norms as a sign of insanity, I'm not very sure if I have understood your question, but personally believe that either before nor now is interconnected to insanity as social norms are created to destroy our freedom as we can read in Foucault and his bio-politics or Betham's panopticon. Could you reformulate you question? – barbarapetidier7 years ago
@barbarapetidier I would, but I'm not sure which part you are confused about. When I speak of fighting social norms as being a sign of insanity, I'm talking about the 18th, 19th and 20th century (depending on the country we are talking about) when people who defied social norms were often ostracized, arrested or locked up in psychiatric hospitals (take for instance prostitutes, homosexual people, radicals, sexually active women, etc.). Standing outside social boundaries or pushing against them used to be treated as a medical/mental condition. I'm pretty sure Foucault does talk about it, so I think you might understand what I'm referring to? He's the one who points out that even today, social deviance is medicalized. In any case, just let me know how you feel I should change my question and I will – Rina Arsen7 years ago
Most teenagers like books written by certain popular YA authors: Suzanne Collins, Stephanie Meyers, John Green, etc. How do these teenagers transition from reading YA literature to reading books that aren't centered around the lives of teenagers?
I like the topic.I think maybe you should try connecting the difference between modern books that centre around teenagers and more classics that centre around "coming of age" and teenagers such as in Jane Eye. Also what is considered a grown up book? Maybe clarify this. – birdienumnum177 years ago
Right, as birdienumnum17 said, coming-of-age or bildungsroman books are maybe the best option to connect YA and books not centered around the lives of teenagers. Having in mind that an adult is just a grown up child can be helpful as with that point of view many not YA books are centered in the psychological evolution of the character which in the end is the same topic of teenage centered books. – barbarapetidier7 years ago
Great topic! I would've liked guidance on this as a young adult. – Stephanie M.7 years ago
Honestly, I find the whole idea of 'grown-up' books to be completely ridiculous. There was a whole fuss over it at the recent Edinburgh Book Festival, with one writer telling people to feel ashamed making YA Lit popular, whilst the other writers quickly shut him down. Folks read whatever they want, and enjoy it how they want. Sure, encourage people o be widely read, but don't admonish them if they prefer not to bother with some snootier texts. – TomWadsworth7 years ago
Personally I think the whole genre of YA fiction is somewhat problematic. Just because a book focuses on the lives of teenagers doesn't mean it deals with "young-adult" content, or vice versa. As for how to transition into increasingly complex works, that's going to be different for everybody. For myself, I found certain authors, such as Chuck Palahniuk, offered me an in to more "adult" fiction. – Ben Woollard7 years ago
I think there is a massive assumption behind the words "Most teenagers like...". Many people I know personally never "transitioned" from reading YA exclusively to "adult" books - they read a mixture of both since they were younger teens anyhow. I read "Sense and Sensibility" when I was 13 and when I was 15 I read "The Fault in Our Stars". It wasn't as if you were forbidden to read "adult" books. In reality, there is no straight line you can draw through a person's "evolution of reading". Getting down to nitty-gritty details: what is classified as YA? How do you separate YA from "adult"? Would "The Bell Jar" be YA or "adult"? The protagonist is quite young, and it deals with ideas that teens today might still relate to - mental illness, thoughts of suicide, aging, etc. Still, it's an interesting debate. I would be interested to read what people come up with if they tackle this topic. – ThomasB7 years ago
Cartoons like South Park and The Boondocks are known for their provocative humour. However, its hard to imagine the same jokes and subject matter in a live-action format being tolerated in mainstream culture. Consider whether the worlds of cartoons, due to their overt incongruence with real life on the superficial level, make this kind of humour more palatable. Also, discuss the significance of cartoons for public conversation and free speech. Do cartoons and the universes they create allow us to indulge in taboo conversations in a way that is more difficult with more realistic material?
Definitely. I mean having these topics brought up in an 'unreal' world surely makes these things easier to say, and therefore, easier for viewers to stomach? Same kind of logic that applies to depersonalisation through online communication I suppose.
– TomWadsworth7 years ago
With every new economic downturn, recession, depression, American pop-culture tends to churn out a new slew of cultural products that deal with the impact of these shifting economic conditions. The material reality is what matters here, the impact on everyday life, it also tends to produce interesting film, television and art. The most recent film to do this is out in theaters now, "Going Out in Style." Discuss a few cultural products, from ideally a few different periods of economic strife in America (there are plenty), from the Great Depression (1929-1941) to the Recession of 2008-9, analyzing what they have to say about these periods in American history and the harsh realities they portray.
Examples: basically all of The Grapes of Wrath, maybe a converse example in Gatsby, the homeowner of The Big Short that ends up living in his car, 99 Homes. Just a few that might help narrow this topic! – elroddavid7 years ago
Comparison between songs that are more recent and ones that are older throw up a large number of differences in terms of lyrics. One prime difference is that newer songs have an increasingly decreasing (heh, see what I did there?) number of lyrics. Examples – 'You a Stupid Hoe', 'Turn Down For What', 'Now watch me whip, now watch me nae nae', 'I know you want me, you know I wan'cha'
Is this constant reduction in the number of words in a song a reflection on a) Our memory – we can't remember words to songs anymore, or it seems like a waste of time to do so. b) Our attention span has dropped so low, that we can't be bothered to listen to music that isn't composed of repititive phrases, we can't be bothered to exert the effort to figure out what longer, more extensive lyrics say. c) Just bad taste.
Is it a combination of all three? Is it a different reason altogether? Is there a more complex reasoning behind this?
I think the simplicity of minimal and shallow lyrics isn't exactly a reflection of our intelligence more so that it's necessary for certain moments. There are several music genres that thrive with complex, poetic lyrics such as Hip-Hop, Alternative and arguably some Pop music and they are highly praised. Kendrick Lamar, Big Sean and Kanye West are insanely successful rappers if for nothing else then for the complexity of their wordplay. All of the songs you listed weren't created with the intention of making people come to profound revelations; they are simply dance songs. The only job they have is to get you to shake what your momma gave you and they do it well. – sastephens8 years ago
I agree with sastephens. I think different genres of music are meant to satisfy different drives and relate to different moods. That's why if someone has an eclectic taste in music, he or she can more easily adapt and access a range of different personas than someone with a more limited musical palette. There are certain songs that are meant to be shallow, but incredibly catchy and there are deeply meaningful songs that aren't designed to get burned into listeners' brains via radio overkill. Obviously, there are those instances where songs are both catchy and deep (and it's really terrific when that happens, but not every song has to do that to be a good song). I do agree that there's a trend recently of repetitive, catchphrase-type songs. It may be an attention-span thing as you mention since our tech-obsessed world is dealing with that problem as a whole. I've heard this trend's been happening with movie titles for that very reason. – aprosaicpintofpisces8 years ago
I think its a combination of bad taste and the fact that it will simply make millions of dollars. Those songs are what dominates the charts. They aren't groundbreaking; they are just meant for a night out. And that's fine, but it would be great to get back to songs with more substance. That's just how our culture is right now. The attention span is decreasing. I like to believe that there are still a lot of people who respect and identify with great lyrics. Right now it's the trend but I think people want more depth in a song. – joshmccann8 years ago
Visualizing terror is no easy task for filmmakers and writers, given the sensitive nature of the topic. Several productions have tackled the subject in various ways with shifting point of views and emphasises. Examples include Air Force One (1997), Bloody Sunday (2002), Omagh (2004), Syriana (2005), Munich (2005), World Trade Center (2006), The Baader Meinhof Complex (2008), Olympus Has Fallen (2013). How is terror visualized? What purpose does it serve to portray it? Where does fiction start?
"Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" just serves as a good title. It might be referenced in the article, though it is a fictional event that focuses not on terror but more on coping with it. It might be a good starting point in the article as well, maybe with a quote or Illustration or something. – L.J.7 years ago
This is an interesting topic that could be filled in with a little more shape if you pinpoint the aspects of film-making or writing the author should/could use. Perhaps a suggestion on not only how terror is visualized but also on the politics of representation and the limits of the visual. – Jonathan Judd7 years ago
Am I the only one that prefers a physical book over electronic forms? There is something magical about the smell of a physical book. Seeing yours or other people's notes in the margins. Having a tangible representation of a story? What is everyone's opinion about this?
You could consider this topic from the point of illuminated texts such as the ones found in Ireland (Book of Kells)... Or even first edition printed copies of books. As someone who likes to collect physical books, I think there is a lot you could write about here. – Lauren Mead7 years ago
I would find studies or articles detailing if electronic books are starting to outpace physical books to see if the digital age is starting to see the end of the physical book medium. – BMartin437 years ago
The materiality of a book is not only of value for the individual reader, but also research Topic in many insitutions. It might be interesting to look at the changing materiality of a text and how it is presented. – L.J.7 years ago
I finally broke down and got a Kindle for Christmas. I love it, but agree physical books are irreplaceable. There's something beautifully comforting about holding and reading a physical book. – Stephanie M.7 years ago
Yes, its as if I remember it more with a physical copy. – melanie6147 years ago
I agree with others that there is something tangible about holding a physical book in your hands. Maybe it's because you're more active: you have to turn the pages, feel the paper. Books have a smell that bring to mind a lifetime of perusing bookstores and libraries. I own a Kindle and I like it- I've ready many books on it. But it'll never fill me with the nostalgia (maybe that's what this is really about!) and satisfaction of a physical book. – Jesse Munoz7 years ago
I do like a physical book, but with my OCD it's hard for me to enjoy having a physical copy because I am so concerned with making sure it does not get dirty or any of the pages get bent. While I prefer reading a physical book, it's easier for me to manage an ebook. – ac7r7 years ago
Maybe you can see books as a fetish object. Personally, I have an eBook I bought when I moved to the U.S. as I didn't want to buy physical ones to them sell them when moving back (I would feel like betraying them and knowledge), so having hundreds of them on a small and light device I thought it would help me. Bad news, guys: I already have tons of physical books and I have started to create my strategy to take them back home with me (without costing me hundreds of dollars). I found myself using digital books for academic purposes and when traveling (going along with a physical one or ones... sorry, I can't handle it!!) and physical books when I read them for entertainment as I like my reading experience to be total: smell them, touch them... feel them in general.I like to see my reading progress and to see how much is left to read (and crying out loud desperately). So I would see digital books and physical books as a comparison between food and ''nouvelle cuisine'' (books + food = best. date. EVER, hahaha) – barbarapetidier7 years ago
I find it interesting that keeping physical books seems to hold more appeal now than keeping CDs or even DVDs. I can't see the use in buying a physical CD, but if I love a book, I definitely try to buy a copy. I wonder if there is still some new technological advancement in ebooks that will make the shift away from physical books more complete. – bookishwhimsy7 years ago
It seems that for people who only need the content, an ebook would suffice for providing a convenient way of gathering the necessary information. The rest of us really care about the material or the imprint of the cover; the page layout in terms of paper, margins, spacing and grouping of images among other elements of printing. Being able to insert a photo of a friend or relative into the pages, or write notes on a separate sheet and tuck it next to a chapter, removing a section with excellent dialogue or fine artwork to take with you or to pin on a bulletin board at work is definitely a trait that make paper books practical. Making paper books is a entirely creative process on all levels requiring many hands; whereas, ebooks are products designed by highly trained minds. For those that don't agree, museums will always have a place for the relics that paper books might become and the future will undoubtedly uncover more methods for delivery of content, in their own ingenious ways even if for the mere novelty of doing so. It may reach the point where people will succumb to public pressure to use the technology and not be seen as living behind the times. – L:Freire6 years ago
Analyze the differing portrayals of 'heroism' in the Aeneid and the Odyssey, two epic poems which explore the lives of heroes after the events of the Iliad. What do these differences reveal about the different values of Romans (Vergil) and the Greeks (Homer)? Consider Aeneas' internal struggle between acting in self-interest, as Odysseus often does, and following his destiny and exhibiting 'pietas'. What roles do the influences of Octavian and Homer play in the Aeneid?
Good topic. Something worth addressing could be the different conditions in which the two texts came to be written and "finalized." Whereas it's widely accepted that Virgil was one autonomous author who penned his opus from start to finish, it's been argued that Homer's works were originally recited orally and written down by the author's (or possibly authors') disciples and compiled into the complete text by later editors. How might these different processes of composition have shaped the narratives within them? – ProtoCanon7 years ago
This is an awesome topic! The Aeneid and the Odyssey are truly national stories and can tell alot about what the Greeks and Romans valued for better or worse! Two great national works of literature. – SeanGadus7 years ago
Analyze how Groundhog Day (1993) has thematic roots in Buddhist and existential philosophy, particularly Friedrich Nietzsche's concept of eternal recurrence, and how it offers a compelling look at the process of change and approaching a more authentic existence.
Bill Murray does a convincing job portraying the various stages of the path, making his transformation from cynical/nihilistic to genuinely kind-hearted believable.
Compare and contrast the short story by John Steinback, to the popular trilogy and motion picture. Both pieces use their plot and literary elements to depict sexual relationships with frustration and mild rage, but in entirely distinct ways. Explore each work and analyze the author's purpose for both
There are many ways the Creature in the 1994 film "Mary Shelley's Frankenstein" is different from it's original, classic incarnation from 1931 in "Frankenstein." One example is, obviously, the Creature talks in the remake. What effects do these changes have on the film? Are we more sympathetic to the Creature in the remake or the original film? What relationship does it have to the book?
Hi, I recommend you talk about how much the 1994 version is based on the basic outline and some of the elements of the book by Shelley (which is one of the best books ever created, in my opinion). – SeanGadus7 years ago
Look at the difference between classic and modern gothic and the kinds of thematic shifts that have taken place there. Monsters used to be something used as a scapegoat, pinning our fears onto anything 'Other'. Nowadays, the monsters are often more sympathetic creations, and our fears are turned inwards. – TomWadsworth7 years ago
Recently, X-Men Gold #1 was criticized for how it had hidden religious, political meanings in the art. The artist responsible was fired because of it. This article would examine other comic book artists who faced a similar situation and the consequences of their actions.
How far can social taboos be pushed? Analyzing the affair, bestiality, and pedophilia. Furthering with Aristotle's six elements of theatre and the three unities.
Consider Park Chan Wook's 'Oldboy' (2003) and Spike Lee's American (2013) remake. What do the differences in these two works reveal about their respective cultures?
I totally forgot about Spike Lee's remake. I have to wonder how he'd handle the ending. – John Wells7 years ago
NBC's critically-acclaimed but fairly short-lived television series Hannibal is an adaptation of Thomas Harris's novels featuring the psychiatrist-cum-cannibalistic-serial-killer Hannibal Lecter. Although initially structured as a prequel to the first Lecter novel, Red Dragon, over the course of its three seasons the show became an entirely different animal, adapting pieces of all four of Harris's novels about Lecter (Red Dragon, The Silence of the Lambs, Hannibal, and Hannibal Rising) to form a whole that's very different than the sum of its parts.
How does Bryan Fuller choose, combine, and discard very different plot threads from the books into one cohesive series? Does he? Are his methods effective, or is the show's plot line a muddled mess?
Excellent topic! Fuller's alchemy on that series is easily one of the most remarkable artistic achievements in recent television. It's worth noting, however, that he didn't have the rights to include the Silence of the Lambs characters and storyline into the series, which is why the roles of Clarice Starling and Will Graham were fused into one character. Upon cancellation, there was always the hope that Netflix might revive them for a fourth season, and that the timing might coincide with obtaining the rights to Silence of the Lambs, but that prospect kept looking less and less likely as the major players began taking on other projects. However, interesting that you should bring this up now, given the recent announcement: http://tvline.com/2016/12/23/hannibal-silence-of-the-lambs-miniseries-bryan-fuller/ In any case, I'd be excited to read this article. – ProtoCanon8 years ago
I think this would be a great topic considering the depth of source material and other adaptations of Harris's books. I would like to take a crack at it but I might have to spend a month or two just going over everything to write something worthwhile. – CoolishMarrow908 years ago
a few thoughts on some places to start: Miriam Lass and Abel Gideon as expies for SoTL Clarice and Lecter, the choice to adapt two books (Red Dragon and Hannibal) in season 3, the treatment of Hannibal Lecter's canonical but unpopoular backstory from Hannibal Rising. – Sadie8 years ago
I would compare the show with the Anthony Hopkins movies to better understand the difference between the two takes on Hannibal Lector.
– BMartin437 years ago
Love the show. And it is ripe for discussion, especially season 3 which incorporates so much of Hannibal and red dragon. Can't wait to see what someone creates with this topic! – SeanGadus7 years ago
Why is it that people find it so difficult and unsavory to read? Very few people actually enjoy and take it upon themselves to read anything from literature, modern works, the news, or frankly anything that consists of many words that require analytical thought to understand. Has this become too much for people? Literacy should never be compromised.
Who are these people?! And also what makes you think we read less? I guess I don't know either way, but do you have some statistics saying that book sales are lower? Or libraries are empty? I know print is going away, but I think people still read news on line. Or read magazines. – Tatijana9 years ago
I can personally vouch for some of your sentiments. Despite my best intentions, it takes a lot of personal coaxing to get myself to sit down and read instead of doing something else. Because when I like to relax, I like to use my eyes and my hands or my ears rather than sit in the same position letting my eyes roll over a page. Although to be honest, I've had this inkling lately that I would get much more satisfaction from reading a book than watching a film, because often, the stories in some of the books I remember enjoying in the past were more engaging and dynamic than a lot of the films I enjoy. So I have plenty of reason to return to reading books. I just don't find myself doing it much, if at all, on a day to day, week to week, and month to month basis. I DO, however, read plenty of articles and stuff online, including here on the Artifice. It's just when it comes to books, especially thick or heavy ones, I have less of a tendency to pick one up. – Jonathan Leiter9 years ago
I think you would find it very difficult to argue that no-one reads when they would have to read your article to see your argument..? It could certainly be said that people's reading habits have changed: Online content tends to have shorter paragraphs to keep attention; short stories and poetry are starting to be more popular again because they can more easily be devoured in a short amount of time; if you really wanted to argue that people don't read at all, you could potentially look at the re-emergence of spoken-word poetry (such as Polarbear or Kate Tempest) and how people are listening to poetry because of podcasts, commutes etc. rather than buying poetry books and reading them (this can be proven with the poetry book sales vrs views on youtube etc. for said artists.) – Francesca Turauskis9 years ago
If you Google "people reading less" like I did, you may find more concrete examples to support the topic, as others have suggested. In an October 2015 study, to paraphrase, American people in general read less, but women and young adults read the most. I'd be curious to see why that is. Here's a link: http://electricliterature.com/survey-shows-americans-are-reading-less-but-women-and-young-people-read-the-most/ – emilydeibler9 years ago
This is very interesting. I would like to see some psychological articles interact with this reading into our culture, and possibly the implications of the dominance of social media. – emilyinmannyc9 years ago
Others above have questioned the general statement about 'people not liking reading'. But could it be asked, "What has happened to society's attention span?" Someone once said he reads the first paragraph of a book and if it doesn't interest him, he moves on. Really? I also heard someone say they won't watch any movie from the 70's or before because they are too slow. Where is the public's patience? I attended a lecture by a successful screenwriter and he said there is a golden rule in the biz that no one camera shot lasts longer than 8 seconds. I didn't believe him until I started counting at the movie theater and sure enough, the camera changes every 8 seconds. Does the 'fast' changes of camera shots, the high paced video games and instant chat of texting influence our attention span? Are we no longer satisfied with Fast Food and now demand Faster Food? This could be a relevant take on the subject. - Dr. T – DrTestani9 years ago
I this topic could be taken in the direction that people don't read as much as they used to. To support this idea, things such as the decline in business success of bookstores, or the rise of flash fiction as a popular form of literature can be examined. Is it that people no longer like to read, or that they would rather pull up a piece of flash fiction on their phone rather than lug a copy of Anna Karenina around with them? – MichelleAjodah9 years ago
I have to question such an absolute statement as literacy should never be compromised. I am not sure if you mean literary appreciation, which I definitely think can and should be compromised. I think that literacy is irrelevant and a completely different issue than what you are discussing before. Whether or not one can read does not mean that they will want to read, and I think that the causes for someone being illiterate are different for those who are less passionate to read. Anyway, I think this is an interesting topic, but the writer needs to have a wider view of the media landscape than saying that something should not be compromised. Perhaps, look at some of the benefits/harms of straying from normal reading activity, the changes in how people consume literature, and definitely why these changes have occurred, and perhaps where we are moving towards, whether it be some post-physical or post-social landscape of reading, or so on. – Matthew Sims9 years ago
I think this could also discuss increasing visual and other literacies that have taken primacy in a more visual culture. "Reading" itself has changed, and is no longer viewed as one person interacting with a text -> an author -> an idea, in a vacuum. Instead, reading has social elements (Oprah's bookclub, for example) and there are other motivations to read instead of just for literary learning. – belindahuang188 years ago
I think this should also cover the use of audio and e-books which have seemed to replace "regular" reading. Are people possibly just getting too lazy to pick up a book or are they too busy to sit down and read? – kspart8 years ago
Something should be said about the new culture we live in when it comes to books. There is a reason why the argument on 'if we need libraries any more' even exist, or why Borders went out of business? I don't necessarily think people aren't reading anymore I just think how people are reading is changing... – cousinsa28 years ago
I understand where you're coming from, but I also believe that, as technology continues to advance, people tend to read in a different setting or capacity. It's not necessarily that people are reading any less or are straying away from it as a whole, it just varies from person to person, what technologies they immerse themselves in, how it affects their time/motivation to read, etc. – caitlynmorral8 years ago
This could easily be an interesting article to explore with some substantial evidence. Instead of going in with the assumption that nobody reads anymore, try focusing more on the how; how people read. It's ridiculous to assume nobody reads, it's not to assume that people read differently than traditionally thought. – Shipwright8 years ago
You can even investigate how children's literacy today is compared to that of those in the 20th century. – BMartin437 years ago
Perhaps you could tailor this to ask the following question: Why do people not like to read physical forms of literature. How has the digital age affected readership?
– kraussndhouse7 years ago
I actually wrote a similar blog on this topic. Here is the blog in full: It’s a common point of conversation in bookworm circles, ‘Nobody reads anymore!’ Similar threads can be picked up from the floors of bookstores, the foyers of creative writing seminars and workshops… I think we need to be more specific. This hyperbole is doing nobody any favours. If I were to take this phrase literally, ‘Nobody reads anymore!’ Well Charlie, I would call you a flat out liar with ya butt in the air in ya head in the sand. Because people do still read – hell – maybe more than ever! People these days fill the small gaps of their lives with words. When they’re waiting inline, at the doctor’s office, at the servo, on the loo and even when their having coffee with a friend. People are reading their FaceBook feeds, tweets, Instagram posts, blog posts, reviews and articles, maybe even some news! I would say that we are reading more than ever. People who don’t even like reading are now forced (heh-heh-heh) to read more thanks to our nifty, portable, mini-computers. Maybe it would be more accurate to say that no one reads novels anymore? But that too feels a bit lofty. Obviously there’s enough statistical data to support this, and I’m sure I could research it and rehash here but a) I don’t want to research it and b) I’m sure you don’t want to read about it. What I do know is that the people in my life who love books, love books. Passionately.
Intensely.
Desperately. Their eyes dance when they start talking about their latest read, there’s always a paperback in their bag and with twenty (+) unread books on the shelf at home, they still emerge from their local with fresh pressed purchases pinned to their chest.
Perhaps our gang is shrinking, but I tell ya, the loyalty is fierce. Where there are readers, there are writers. One invariably leads to the other. My masters course, the first for the university, anticipated ten students. Twenty-two hopeful Poe’s made the grade. Brandon Sanderson (Sci-fi/fantasy writer) teacher’s creative writing at BYU to a packed class every year, many students who want to participate in his course are turned away because, well, there’s only so many seats. The upswing of that however, is someone videoed all the lectures and you can find them here. You’re welcome. I might be pulling my rope a little tight here but stick with me. Have you noticed all the book that have been turned into movies lately? Someone out there in Hollywood is still reading, and he’s making a neat mint off it too. I know it’s a bit of a bleak wasteland out there. Publishing houses are shrinking. Amazon. Self-publishing. Declining rates. Gasp! There is a wee spark though and it is this, books aren’t going away. Maybe things will change but what doesn’t? Read on bookworms, and I’ll see you down at the local, where we can split a chai and talk about ‘kids these days.’ – taraeast887 years ago
The tools of literary analysis help you submit cultures and texts that form these cultures to rigorous analysis. You can examine the rhetoric, the linguistic structures, etc that makes a text what it is. Can we do the same with law and what would such an examination yield?
The word 'slave' was never used in the original 3/5 clause, which says a lot about the culture at the time (I like to consider it a pre cursor to the Gag Rule). – m-cubed7 years ago
I believe the history of Western legal system is forked by dual branches: common vs. civil. Perhaps a good starting point is exploring the different philosophies of civil and common law in the West. From there, analyze and contrast how the legal system is written, reflecting the demands of society and its ideals. – minylee7 years ago
This is a great topic! We definitely see detailed analysis of legal language in some important court rulings. Antoni Scalia's majority opinion in the Supreme Court ruling in DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA v. HELLER (No. 07-290) (https://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/07-290.ZO.html) gives a great example of interpreting the language of the law through the lens of linguistic and historical analysis. (I'm not a fan of that particular court ruling, because I would like to see reasonable restrictions on firearm ownership in the US, but I think it is very interesting to see judges wrangling with grammar and linguistic context.) – JamesBKelley7 years ago