How do you deal with the Racism and antisemitism found in the works of F. Scott Fitzgerald?
It is no secret that Fitzgerald was racist. He lived in a racist time. But where does that leave us? Is it right to hold authors who are long dead to our modern sensibilities?
Personally I believe we need to keep the authors original language and
deal with its historical significance and modern offensiveness. I guess I
adhere to a..."we can't change history we can only study why and try and
to do better". As much as I wish people were not racist, I can't change
the ugly truth of our past.
I am curious, as I am not of a racial minority, how do you deal with his racists/anti-Semitic views. Does the fact that he uses offensive language and holds views that are abhorrent to us today mean we should not read his work? And how offensive is his work? I mean, I bristle when I read passages relating to race and stereo-typing, I wish I could take it out, but as it is not personal to me, I am able to move on and focus on other aspects of the story. I am not sure this is the same for everyone.
Racism is a part of our history, and I am sad to say, it is not only in our history, it is still with us today. It would be easy to close our eyes, or pretend that it wasn't there, but that does not move us forward or challenge hateful views.
I would like to think that if Fitzgerald lived past the age of 44 he
would have changed his views just as our country started to change its
own. I look at the time he lived, and the views held at the time and feel sad that he bought into these views. He chronicled his world around him, he wrote about the good and the bad, and we have to take what he wrote. No where is it said that Fitzgerald was a paragon of virtue.
I am curious and would like to open a civil discussion on this matter.
1.14.2013
6 comments:
Please remember that I am not a Fitzgerald expert. My posts are my point of view at a specific moment in time, I may get things wrong. Kind words and discussions are always welcomed. If I have made a mistake, politely let me know. I would like to keep Fitzgerald musings a positive experience. Comment Away.....
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I am Hispanic and have dark skin so have encountered some issues with this, however, I have always approached reading in its historical context so that race issues have never bothered me. This has been true ever since childhood, when I read Nancy Drew with its racial comments.
ReplyDeleteI don't really get personal with those parts of the story. I'm not personally racist nor am I a minority but I do have both in my family tree. I was taught differently than those family members but I can still glean the benefits of the stories they tell despite the language as long as the point isn't validated by the racist sentiments. That said, I think there is a difference when the offensive language is descriptive and not the point of the story. In other words, if the word/phrase can be easily substituted for a less derrogatory version, then I can ignore it as an offensive word. If I read a passage that centers on a racist or stereotypical view as a qualifier for the point of the piece, then I might contemplate what it meant to him in that time (as you mentioned)and nothing more. I can look at it from his point of view as a product of his time but I don't have to agree with it. Some people can be brilliant with words but flawed in ideals.
ReplyDeleteHello, I googled Bilphism and found this blog. I ‘m reading The Beautiful and Damned. I was thinking about racism and great works recently when I was reading Truman Capote’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s. I’m not white, so it’s always a big shocker when I’m really enjoying something and a slur slaps me in the face. At first, I’m offended. Today this sort of thing IS offensive- and then I remember that what I’m reading wasn’t written today. It’s harder to still call the book a great work like I would’ve before I read that sentence because the book, beforehand was something I could trust to be insightful and full of all sorts of wisdom. The truth is, whatever work I was reading was written by a person who’s perspective on things I wanted. Actually censoring that in a book is like ignoring a part of history. Ignoring that wouldn’t really promote growth. So, the importance of taking the work as it is outweighs my hurt feelings. I kind of realized this when reading Mark Twain in school.
ReplyDeleteHello, I googled Bilphism and found this blog. I ‘m reading The Beautiful and Damned. I was thinking about racism and great works recently when I was reading Truman Capote’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s. I’m not white, so it’s always a big shocker when I’m really enjoying something and a slur slaps me in the face. At first, I’m offended. Today this sort of thing IS offensive- and then I remember that what I’m reading wasn’t written today. It’s harder to still call the book a great work like I would’ve before I read that sentence because the book, beforehand was something I could trust to be insightful and full of all sorts of wisdom. The truth is, whatever work I was reading was written by a person who’s perspective on things I wanted. Actually censoring that in a book is like ignoring a part of history. Ignoring that wouldn’t really promote growth. So, the importance of taking the work as it is outweighs my hurt feelings. I kind of realized this when reading Mark Twain in school.
ReplyDeleteTeresa- Thank you for your response and point of view. And you are right that these slurs are offensive and we should be offended, even if we keep the writing in its context, it is not OK and we need to remember that. I really appreciate you taking the time and letting me know how it sits with you. I hope you keep popping in every now and then.
DeleteHow are you liking The Beautiful and Damned?
Also as a response to someone’s else’s comment, I say some people can be brilliant in ideals but flawed with words.
ReplyDelete