Such a thought-provoking post, Terry - I've been thinking about the question you've raised, and have read the comments about it in this thread with interest.
It's tricky, isn't it, to love the work, but not its creator. Should we allow the former, or condemn both work and creator equally?
What is absolutely necessary, in my opinion, is to HAVE these discussions. Love the painting but despise the moral standing of the artist? Let's talk about that. Let's bring up why we despise the artist, and talk about whatever that awful thing about that artist may be or may have been. Let's talk about that at least as much as - no, more than - we talk about the art. Or the music. Or the book.
Gosh and wow, Terry. There's so much to think about here. Thank you so very much for another terrific letter: one very different in part to our canon of correspondence so far, but so very valuable! Thank you.
Nov 23, 2023·edited Nov 23, 2023Liked by Terry Freedman
Loved the links to Jane Austen - I've passed one along to my daughter who loves Jane A. Thanks, too, for raising an interesting question above loving the writing but not the writer. I'm chewing on that. I thought of this parallel: I love many artists' works but not some of their life choices. While standing in front of a favorite painting, I usually think about what I know of the artist's private life, and it DOES make a difference in how I'm drawn to his or her work(s). Does my heart embrace or recoil? Separating an artist's work from his/her life is convenient compartmentalization when I recoil. Embracing an artist's life and his or her work, enriches and broadens my love for his or her work(s). Still chewing. Thanks for another great post.
Embarrassing confession. I convinced my younger son during his Bar Mitzvah speech to include a positive version from the famous "half of half of you" quote from Bilbo's birthday party in LOTR. It went something like this:
"I know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like the other half of you half as well as you deserve.'
Nov 22, 2023·edited Nov 22, 2023Liked by Terry Freedman
You touched a nerve here Terry. I very seldom read biographies of writers, artists, composers, actors, etc. as I find it impossible to separate the "creator" from the art. I used to appreciate Richard Wagner, until I learned of his twisted beliefs, and now can't bear his work. In my younger days I used to drool over Mel Gibson, until I learned about his politics. And now Eliot? My favorite poet? I am not going to read any further about the man himself. I love his works too much. Maybe that makes me shallow or judgmental. So be it. I am glad you brought up the subject, my friend
I also tend to take the words for themselves instead of letting the author's 'issues' get in the way. The answer is never clear, nor is the person and their motivations or actions. I don't feel fit to judge. It's such a tricky one, though, and I do struggle with it occasionally. Thanks for also making us laugh! The Austen Connection is a great newsletter - and sometimes podcast. I think you'll really enjoy it.
Such a thought-provoking post, Terry - I've been thinking about the question you've raised, and have read the comments about it in this thread with interest.
It's tricky, isn't it, to love the work, but not its creator. Should we allow the former, or condemn both work and creator equally?
What is absolutely necessary, in my opinion, is to HAVE these discussions. Love the painting but despise the moral standing of the artist? Let's talk about that. Let's bring up why we despise the artist, and talk about whatever that awful thing about that artist may be or may have been. Let's talk about that at least as much as - no, more than - we talk about the art. Or the music. Or the book.
Gosh and wow, Terry. There's so much to think about here. Thank you so very much for another terrific letter: one very different in part to our canon of correspondence so far, but so very valuable! Thank you.
Loved the links to Jane Austen - I've passed one along to my daughter who loves Jane A. Thanks, too, for raising an interesting question above loving the writing but not the writer. I'm chewing on that. I thought of this parallel: I love many artists' works but not some of their life choices. While standing in front of a favorite painting, I usually think about what I know of the artist's private life, and it DOES make a difference in how I'm drawn to his or her work(s). Does my heart embrace or recoil? Separating an artist's work from his/her life is convenient compartmentalization when I recoil. Embracing an artist's life and his or her work, enriches and broadens my love for his or her work(s). Still chewing. Thanks for another great post.
Embarrassing confession. I convinced my younger son during his Bar Mitzvah speech to include a positive version from the famous "half of half of you" quote from Bilbo's birthday party in LOTR. It went something like this:
"I know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like the other half of you half as well as you deserve.'
Crickets except for my wild laughter echoing.
You touched a nerve here Terry. I very seldom read biographies of writers, artists, composers, actors, etc. as I find it impossible to separate the "creator" from the art. I used to appreciate Richard Wagner, until I learned of his twisted beliefs, and now can't bear his work. In my younger days I used to drool over Mel Gibson, until I learned about his politics. And now Eliot? My favorite poet? I am not going to read any further about the man himself. I love his works too much. Maybe that makes me shallow or judgmental. So be it. I am glad you brought up the subject, my friend
I also tend to take the words for themselves instead of letting the author's 'issues' get in the way. The answer is never clear, nor is the person and their motivations or actions. I don't feel fit to judge. It's such a tricky one, though, and I do struggle with it occasionally. Thanks for also making us laugh! The Austen Connection is a great newsletter - and sometimes podcast. I think you'll really enjoy it.
Advertisements have definitely changed over the years. 😃
And I love ‘You deserve a longer letter than this, but it is my unhappy fate seldom to treat people so well as they deserve…’
Another informative read. (I’ll make sure never to mention it if I find ‘that sentence’ in a review.)
Thanks Mr Terry.