Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - (Continuation)Quotes By Chidi Anthony Opara

thank you chidi. i like your thoughts here, but would want to quibble about the first
you are right that literary critics are not gatekeepers, and even worse are regarded as such nonetheless. so, when we are asked, what are the best 100 african novels, that is performing yet again that gatekeepers' role, in and out of the list
what are we?
we are not consumers, i should say, but readers of literature; and usually, in fact, lovers of the words. lovers, but also people who imagine themselves in dialogue with what they are writing. in dialogue, but in a dialogue of reflection: what was that which i just read? what was it really saying, not just appearing to say? how did that fit with what i read on p. 132before? what can i make of it?
and then, something like, "oh, i see!!!"
or "oh, how wonderful!!"
and you hold  your breath for a slight second. you've just fallen in love with that moment; invented an author who gave it to you, and are so thankful.

this isn't a job, it's a vocation. or maybe a vacation
ken

On 9/13/12 1:26 PM, ChidiAnthonyOparaPoetry wrote:

(1) Literary Critics should be placed in the category of consumers of Literature where they rightly belong and not in the category of gatekeepers of Literature, because Literature have no gate.

(2) Do not throw stones at the other person because you would not know what the other person would throw in return.

(3) Freedom without the necessary restrictions is Absolutism. Absolutism in freedom works both ways; for and against you.

(4) The concept of Royalty is antithetical to the universally accepted maxim that; All men (and women) are born equal.

(5) Apart from courage, you must have a good dose of stupidity to be a writer. You must be stupid enough to think that you can change the world with written words.

 

 

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--   kenneth w. harrow   distinguished professor of english  michigan state university  department of english  east lansing, mi 48824-1036  ph. 517 803 8839  harrow@msu.edu