We look at writers on video talking about their work. More to come in the coming weeks.
Updated: 1/1/15
38 videos writers talking about writing
Updated: 8/18/14
Annie Lamontt, Jeannette Walls, Mary Karr, Michael Eric Dyson, Walter Kirn
The Deconstruction Theory of Literature.
Seldom do you hear writers talk about their education.
See comments at 51.01m into the tape.
Deconstruction in Literature: What is that?
"A central premise of deconstruction is thatallof Western literature and philosophy implicitly relies on ametaphysics of presence,[12][13]where intrinsic meaning is accessible by virtue of pure presence.[14][15]Deconstruction denies the possibility of a pure presence and thus of essential or intrinsic and stable meaning — and thus a relinquishment of the notions of absolute truth, unmediated access to "reality" and consequently of conceptual hierarchy."
Also:
"Deconstruction generally tries to demonstrate that any text is not a discrete whole but contains several irreconcilable and contradictory meanings; that any text therefore has more than one interpretation; that the text itself links these interpretations inextricably; that the incompatibility of these interpretations is irreducible; and thus that an interpretative reading cannot go beyond a certain point. Derrida refers to this point as an "aporia" in the text; thus, deconstructive reading is termed "aporetic."[45]He insists that meaning is made possible by the relations of a word to other words within the network of structures that language is.[46]"
My take away on the deconstruction theory: All of great literature and languagae itself is hampered by a presumption in language itself of hierarchy and the violent oppositions it presupposes.
In other words, linguistic analysis argues that most so called great literature books are contradictory and have a "con" and confused element to them in which words are used in contradictory ways throughout the book. This applies to concepts in the books as well. The result is confusion and subtle "cons" in literature. Wow. Next time we ask why this might be so and why is it done? Deconstruction has an implied answer.
I'll have to agree with that concept. I recall trying to read Herman Melville's Moby Dick, only to put it down after trying to understand the psychological mumbo-jumbo in the first chapter. I also recall that Henry Miller's writing was hardly discernible until he got the subject of sex where it suddenly became crystal clear. Perhaps the worst that I read was the "stream of consciousness" crap of James Joyce. If deconstruction gets praise and awards from the literary crowd, I don't care. I want to read good, honest stories, not literary trickery.
In the second book of the BetterWorld trilogy, Kiyoko and her friends continue to fight MediaCorp's schemes to control the world. But a team of ruthless mercenaries is after them, and is closing in fast.
Black Leather and Blue Denim, A '50s Novel is adult literature for anyone who likes 1950s' teen culture. BL&BD has been given a 5 Star Rating by ebookpalace.com and by Midwest Review
