because you were all wondering what I'm writing my dissertation on, here's a brief synopsis of my 'research context': When James Macpherson published his Fragments of Ancient Poetry in 1760, he went to great lengths to make the Fragments appear to be authentic remains of an ancient, heroic oral tradition. His reasons for this were largely political, and as such, influenced the content of the epics themselves. As an attempt to establish a particularly Scottish identity, the poems were quite effective. However, to do so required both a simplification and a manipulation of traditional mythology. Stripped of anagogical significance, the Ossian epics more or less represented an Enlightenment version of history, tradition, and mythic heritage. The stories themselves were changed by their very purpose and in turn changed the manner of representing myth in future narratives. Moreover, the emphasis on the Ossian epics as authentic tales from the past, as ‘fragments,’ served...
"People like bonnets. I don't think you can underestimate that."
ReplyDeleteIf I hadn't have just updated my facebook profile, this would be it. Ha!
wait a few hours and then do it. :)
ReplyDeleteDangit. I was gonna do that exact same thing! Of course people like bonnets! How dare the British think of doing anything else! No one wants to hear anything else from them anyway! I shall defend Dickens to the death, Molly. Hear me on this one.
ReplyDeleteYou could both post the same comment. I'm pretty sure your only friends in common are Emily and me. :)
ReplyDeleteWe could ALL post that as our comments!
ReplyDeleteBut seriously. I can't believe they criticize when JLM is in a starring role. It's just wrong.
I know. I don't get it either. It's like they've got the greatest film history of any film company ever and they're like 'this isn't working.' what gives??
ReplyDeleteon another note, i really shouldn't post comments after midnight.
Random alert!
ReplyDeleteWhenever someone says "What gives?" in type, I always think of Joe Junior in While You Were Sleeping.
("He's delusional! He thinks he invented aluminum foil!")