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Lettres d'Uzès #40: An(other) Essay on Criticism

13/8/2013

17 Comments

 
Picture
Alexander Pope, contemplating the nature of criticism
It has been suggested recently that I am, in these blogs, thinking of myself as a critic. I am not.

I am, on occasion, critical - of a wine, a book, a painting, a piece of music, a restaurant, a ball player. But that is not the same thing at all. The role of the critic is to be, not negative, but positive: to evaluate, to provide deep context, to establish relationships, to elucidate and enhance. In this sense, I suppose that from time to time I write within a critical tradition, but that is not my intention.

This is a blog, not an academic treatise. I allow myself half an hour and plus-or-minus 500 words for each post. The prompts are my reading and listening, my eating and drinking, my obsessions, my social activities. But as some of my excellent correspondents have pointed out, there is a theme developing from these disparate activities, of which – to be honest – I was not consciously aware.

This theme, it would appear, is the appreciation of all activities as a totality, as part of ‘life’ – a word which Leavis substituted for tradition and continuity. 

My subjects, whether they be a new Dylan album, a fine claret, an exhibition or a baseball game, are part of life and contribute to the fundamental ‘vitality’ which is ‘crucial’ to developing an individual ‘meaning of life’, the making of valid choices not through evasion but single-minded commitment.

If I had to categorise what a friend flatteringly characterised as ‘these essays’, I would use the word explorations, which is itself an important Leavis word, and as he said in another context, ‘all important words are dangerous’.

In this case, the danger comes from imposing an importance on my observations which they are incapable of bearing. And often, I confess, they are gut reactions rather than considered judgements.

In the tutored tastings at the Foire aux Vins, for example, I hated the sweetness of the whites, the oakiness of the reds. The maligned wine critics of my previous blog could doubtless explain and maybe even justify. For me, it is simply not to my taste.

Does this mean, therefore, that when you read this blog, you are merely the recipients of some undigested prejudices?

I promise you, you are not. Because more often than not, I start only with a topic. Over the course of the 500 words, I develop my approach and attitude and finally a judgement, a valuation. 

So in the average blog what you are reading is the record of a process of internal debate and argument, backed by Wordsworthian spots of time, structured in the form of  Judt’s Memory Chalet, supported by quotes from better writers, and concluding with … well, a sort of conclusion.

Bit like this one, really.

Today from the everysmith vault: Yesterday, of course, was the wonderful music of the test match commentary. Today, it’s the New Riders of the Purple Sage from July 1971. A 10 minute version of Dirty Business, with Jerry on pedal steel, is the highlight.

17 Comments
Allan
13/8/2013 03:42:46

Ah, interesting! I suspect my introduction of Leavis and observations on criticism may have been one of the prompts for this current piece. I'm honoured. I think the distinction is between criticism and review. You attack each subject from your own point of view, and this is about your point of view. Which, as a subject, is reasonably interesting ...

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nick
13/8/2013 16:01:21

How does one spell humble please?

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max
16/8/2013 01:30:03

Such a witty comment on Facebook, Nick ...

Max
16/8/2013 01:29:09

Thank you Allan - it was your introduction of the concept of 'sous-Leavis' that made me think consciously about that approach. As for the subject of this blog, quite right: only reasonably interesting and will try not to return to it in the near future!

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George
13/8/2013 03:50:45

Bit of Leavis. Bit of Sartre. Bit circular. But neat.

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Max
16/8/2013 01:30:39

Can't argue with that.

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Ann
13/8/2013 04:04:31

Aaaaahhhhhh must dig out my NRotPS..... long time no listen:-(

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CJ
13/8/2013 07:15:54

Ann, you have beaten me to it. It has been a very, very long time since NRPS graced my turntable. Which is unfortunate for a number of reasons. Not least the anniversary of Jerry's death last Friday. I know where Max has gotten this gig (Wolfgang's Vault) and my download is taking place as I write this.

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Max
16/8/2013 01:32:32

It's good stuff. Tend to listen only to those shows when they opened for the Dead, and these days go for Railroad Earth more than NRPS. But this is a fine show and well worth the listen.

Jimb
13/8/2013 04:48:44

If people weren't brave enough to indulge in self- indulgence every now and then (and thus of course risk producing a pile of embarrassing old crap) nothing creative would ever get created, ever. And don't worry Max, you are definitely keeping on the right side of the line.

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Max
16/8/2013 01:33:52

Thanks James. It's a fine line.

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Michael Alexander Pope
13/8/2013 07:08:09

'Tis hard to say, if greater Want of Skill
Appear in Writing or in Judging ill,
But, of the two, less dang'rous is th' Offence,
To tire our Patience, than mis-lead our Sense
Some few in that, but Numbers err in this,
Ten Censure wrong for one who Writes amiss;
A Fool might once himself alone expose,
Now One in Verse makes many more in Prose.

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Max
16/8/2013 01:34:55

True wit is nature to advantage press'd;
what oft was thought but ne'er so well expressed.

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Allison
13/8/2013 07:25:12

I saw that you announced this blog on facebook as 'self-indulgent'. Suspect 'self-justificatory' is more accurate. No necessity.You can write what you want and the rest of us can choose to read it or not to read it. In my case I read you (apart from the baseball stuff!) and disagree as often as i agree. The important thing is that you have the nerve to write what you think (I don't) and you write well. Please keep going - and thanks.

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Max
16/8/2013 01:36:11

Thanks Allison. Your comments on Marseille gave me pause.

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Richard
13/8/2013 09:15:28

I only came on board with the wine last week but I'm on board with your approach to all your stuff. Not sure about the intellectual references but for me I get an insistence on quality of life whether in music and books, food and drink, art and even the baseball team. Had a great time reading through the archives.

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Max
16/8/2013 01:36:56

Very much appreciated. Welcome aboard!

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    Max Smith

    European writer, radical, restaurateur and Red Sox fan. 70-something husband, father, step-father, grandfather and son. Resident in Warwick, England.

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