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Andrew Dufresne
Senior Member
Username: beachdreamer

Post Number: 2580
Registered: 01-2006
Posted on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 - 9:54 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post

Has anybody read this work by Harold Bloom? And if so, is it worth the read? I'm considering purchasing it.

Thanks!

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Fred Longworth
Senior Member
Username: sandiegopoet

Post Number: 6279
Registered: 05-2006
Posted on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 - 1:29 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post

I like Bloom, but I haven't read the volume you're mentioning.

Fred
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Andrew Dufresne
Senior Member
Username: beachdreamer

Post Number: 2586
Registered: 01-2006
Posted on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 - 4:37 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post

The only book I've read of his is Shakespeare: The Invention of the Human. I liked that. Hearing mixed things from other people.

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W.F. Roby
Intermediate Member
Username: wfroby

Post Number: 866
Registered: 03-2008
Posted on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 - 5:23 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post

I am personally not a big fan of Bloom's revisionary thang.

I've only read a selection of the book, and that for a college course, so I'm probably not the expert.

But, since there's very little like it in the world, you can really do no wrong by reading it.
Andrew Dufresne
Senior Member
Username: beachdreamer

Post Number: 2589
Registered: 01-2006
Posted on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 - 9:14 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post

Thanks for the feedback, guys.

I think I'll get through this Paul Hogan book, first, "The End Of The Poem" and then see how I feel.

I'm leery of "poetic theory" anyway, but sometimes it's good for a laugh.

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Fred Longworth
Senior Member
Username: sandiegopoet

Post Number: 6287
Registered: 05-2006
Posted on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 - 11:59 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post

Andrew,

Could you briefly summarize Bloom's thesis?

Thanks!

Fred
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Andrew Dufresne
Senior Member
Username: beachdreamer

Post Number: 2590
Registered: 01-2006
Posted on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 - 12:04 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post

Hah! Haven't even read it yet, Fred.

But here's the Wiki site:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anxiety_of_influence
Fred Longworth
Senior Member
Username: sandiegopoet

Post Number: 6288
Registered: 05-2006
Posted on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 - 12:16 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post

Now that I have reviewed the Wiki, I do recall his thesis . . . to wit: Every poet seeking original voice (which is considered necessary for the poet's work to qualify for the "canon") must suffer "anxiety" as he or she wrestles with the reality that the inspiration to write nearly always arises from the tradition, yet the poet must significantly break free from this to achieve that original voice.

Fred
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W.F. Roby
Intermediate Member
Username: wfroby

Post Number: 868
Registered: 03-2008
Posted on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 - 12:41 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post

Wow. There's grant money well spent.

A semi-literate 7th grader could have told you the same thing, in different words.
Will Eastland
Advanced Member
Username: dwillo

Post Number: 1063
Registered: 07-2006
Posted on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 - 1:00 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post

Yes, but his development may be worth it.

OTOH,maybe his grant money went to his barber. Ever see that guy's hair? Awesome!!
And I agree with his thesis. I think the most anxiety producing stage is the point where you wonder if you will ever break free of your influences to any sigificant degree.

Anyway, that's where I am right now . . .
Progress is a comfortable disease.

~e e cummings
Fred Longworth
Senior Member
Username: sandiegopoet

Post Number: 6289
Registered: 05-2006
Posted on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 - 1:08 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post

I'm trying to break free from the influence of Mad Magazine. Alas, I have not been successful.



Fred
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Andrew Dufresne
Senior Member
Username: beachdreamer

Post Number: 2591
Registered: 01-2006
Posted on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 - 2:24 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post

I want to thank everyone for their comments.

WF, you hang out with different 7th graders than I do. But I 'm sure they could give you a decent whatever. I take it you don't care for Mr. Bloom. That is noted.

But there is a bit more to the work than Fred's digest of it, I think.

But again, THANKS ALL for the laughs and the good times. Let's end this now, shall we? Let's talk about Lindsay Lohan or something.

Oh look, she's topless!

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(Message edited by beachdreamer on June 17, 2009)
Fred Longworth
Senior Member
Username: sandiegopoet

Post Number: 6292
Registered: 05-2006
Posted on Thursday, June 18, 2009 - 11:16 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post

I left out the part about the beautiful naked dancing girls. Sorry.

Fred
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