I often find myself asking the question: What is literature? Not just that, but what is art? It always takes me to different trains of thought.
First, I tend to think back all the way to very beginning of humanity and try to comprehend the start of these things. They were created because humans enjoy expression, right? Forgive me if this sounds silly to ask. That answer seems to shallow in comparison to the complexity of the human mind.
Then, I think it's more along the lines of we need expression. Why? I'm not sure of that. It is necessary for us to somehow, in some way, convey our feelings, thoughts, etc. That's why people keep diaries, teenagers rant, and a lot of the time that's why people talk in general. It's curious, but it's true. Writers and artists - synonymous, really - may have an extended desire to do so, and the ability to carry it out. By them creating, others without such a talent can feel and express, too.
Finally, I become happy with the results of such thinking, but then I come to the most difficult question: Why is it that we aren't always allowed to pronounce how we think or feel if it is so vital to the human psyche? Books have been banned for hundreds of years and they still are today. It is that our ideas, opinions, and thoughts are truly that powerful, that they must be hidden or forbidden? Thoughts have, however, been known to create havoc. But as important as expression of feelings and thoughts are, as long as they're not overtly negative or unlawful like Hitler's idea of the Jews, what's the problem?
I found a music video that was very eye-opening; it touched on this subject. It's very symbolic of the entertainment industry and art, and the oppression that goes along with it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdH1GwyZJuY&feature=player_embedded
They sport the symbol for Art is Resistance:
http://www.artisresistance.com/warning.htm
With that, I had a new lead in my quest for answers. Maybe that's it. Art IS resistance. It liberates us in ways that we - I, at least- don't quite grasp. Sure, this leaves the question of, "How does it free us and why is that so omnipotent?" but I'll have to save that for another day.
1. Love the Brown Eyed Girls music video. Admit you, you may have sounded all deep in your post, but you really just wanted a way to tie in kpop. Can't fool me.
ReplyDelete2.Your post really is inspiring. We talked about this in humanities last year-what is art?- and never really reached a conclusion. Is it resistance?Does it free us? Or create us? You said it liberates us in ways we don't understand. I both agree and disagree, art-music, writing,etc- is liberating for me in the sense that it's emotionally purging. But it is also more than that..so yes, we don't understand it. Yet, I think a lot of people feel about art the same way I do. We know it liberates us, it lets us express ourselves. So while we may not understand why or how it help us, we know what it does.
First of all, can I just say that I love your url? It inspires me more than the moon and the stars. Secondly, this post definitely struck me. I often think about similar things, but mostly when I feel like thinking deeply about such a subject. I have to agree with Lauren too, that you wanted to sound deep and such, but in actuality, you just wanted to slip some KPOP into your blog. Way to show your true colors, Rachel. Four for you, Rachel. You go, Rachel.
ReplyDeleteI think our original draw to literature comes from our love of stories. We like stories that we can identify with. We like stories that show us what we could be. We like stories that legitimize our subconscious hopes/dreams/wishes/fears/etc. I think that many writers do have a desire to create, much like that of any artist, like they have something within them that needs to be shared, that has to be expressed. Literature is powerful because it explains, unites, empowers, inspires, etc. It can do anything.
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