Clarity as Flaw in Modern Art and Literature
January 19th, 2008
Ulysses by James Joyce finds itself at the top of many “Greatest Books” lists despite the fact that it is almost completely unintelligible. Or is it because it is entirely unintelligible? Why are books and art works that are impossible to understand or derive coherence from considered better than works that make their points clearly and concisely (which are then condemned as “sophomoric”)?
Why is actually being able to figure something out a bad thing? It makes no sense that we appreciate the nonsensical, then stand around damning the world for being unknowable and strange.