Books No Longer Express America's Soul | Louis Menand | Big Think

TL;DR

Literary criticism has evolved from a moral arbiter to a consumer reports function due to societal changes.

Transcript

when I was young um I went to college uh had a teacher who was had been a student of trollings at Columbia this was in California and uh he I started reading him around that time and then I went to Columbia as well and tring was still teaching there took a course with him um he was not a great teacher but he was when I was younger he was a good mod... Read More

Key Insights

• 🔇 Trilling's influence on the speaker's early interest in critical analysis.
• ❓ Literature's diminishing societal importance and nationalistic relevance.
• ❓ Transition of criticism from moral judgment to consumer guidance.
• 💱 Change in the perception of critics as moral arbiters.
• ❓ The impact of digital platforms on the role of literary critics.
• 😑 Evolution of literature from a cultural expression to a recreational activity.
• ♿ Increased accessibility of consumer reviews online impacting the traditional role of critics.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Trilling influence the speaker's approach to cultural criticism?

Trilling's dialectical view of cultural moments as seen by the speaker during their academic years inspired them to adopt a similar critical approach to understanding cultural changes.

Q: Why has the societal importance of literature changed over time?

Literature used to be considered the essence of a society's expression, reflecting its values. However, this belief has shifted, with literature no longer holding the same cultural significance.

Q: What was the perception of critics in the mid-20th century?

Critics were viewed as moral arbiters whose judgments on literature, music, and art were believed to reflect an individual's values and political beliefs.

Q: How has the role of a literary critic changed in the digital age?

In the digital age, the role of a literary critic has shifted towards providing consumer reports, as online reviews now fulfill the function of guiding readers on whether a book is worth reading.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Influence of Trilling: Trilling's dialectical approach inspired the speaker's early interest in cultural criticism.

• Changing Role of Literature: Literature no longer holds the same societal importance or nationalistic significance.

• Shift in Criticism Function: Criticism has transitioned from moral judgment to consumer guidance in the digital age.