I like that this group explored the idea of whether economic success and fame is prerequisite to defining something as literature, no matter what medium it is presented in. Is an essay that I wrote for a middle school social studies class considered literature? Surely if one day that essay were published and well received, then it would be considered literature. But was it not the same group of words, the same piece of work form when I composed it years ago, and therefore should not it always have been considered "literature"?
I would argue that nouns cannot be defined. They are too complex and subjective to ever be sufficiently explained in a dictionary, or even through extensive dialog. Academics accept definitions so that they can move past that dialog and progress into further analysis of a topic. However, it is important that intermittently debate on the definition is refreshed so that our understand of it allowed to adapt with the ages.
I would agree with you, on the fact that definitions often change over time and their definition, though outlined in an accepted dictionary, can never fully explain its evolution throughout history. Literature in the 19th century would certainly not have included music, but considering that many people today who love and are involved with literature get into music, since the world of literature is not as great an arena nowadays for sharing your thoughts and emotions, music has adapted to become much more of a part of literature.
I am reminded of a project in high school, where I had the option of performing, in song, a piece of literature. I placed a poem to music that I had never heard played before, but I felt that once I played the song in a style most fitting of the content, I understood the emotion and message of the poem. So I guess, it depends how you see literature. Our period is one of destructing preconceptions, so why not touch on literature?
As much as I hate that a side really can't be taken on this issue, I don't think that one really can. I think whether or not a piece of music can be defined as literature really does depend on a number of factors including content, public reception, the importance of the lyrics, and even the style of music. For instance, I'm really inclined to say that Don Mclean's American Pie is literature, or Bob Dylan's The Times They Are A-Changin are literary in nature. However, the Madonna version of American Pie, to me, is not. Though the lyrics themselves are the same, the style of music to which they are sung definitely takes away from the way that the music and the lyrics affect you. In the original version, the lyrics are thought-provoking, while Madonna's version is just a dance ballad. I guess it's interesting that the actual music, rather than the lyrics, can affect the perceived literary value of a song, but for me it definitely does.
I really like the way the American Pie podcast went into depth with the analysis of the song, especially with the comparison to Madonna's version. Its interesting to see the attempted transferrance of a classic hit to the next generation. I'm sure the original is just as appreciated, if not more, without Madonna ruining it by 'updating it.'
Boy Bands
I like that this group explored the idea of whether economic success and fame is prerequisite to defining something as literature, no matter what medium it is presented in. Is an essay that I wrote for a middle school social studies class considered literature? Surely if one day that essay were published and well received, then it would be considered literature. But was it not the same group of words, the same piece of work form when I composed it years ago, and therefore should not it always have been considered "literature"?
I would argue that nouns cannot be defined. They are too complex and subjective to ever be sufficiently explained in a dictionary, or even through extensive dialog. Academics accept definitions so that they can move past that dialog and progress into further analysis of a topic. However, it is important that intermittently debate on the definition is refreshed so that our understand of it allowed to adapt with the ages.
music as literature
I would agree with you, on the fact that definitions often change over time and their definition, though outlined in an accepted dictionary, can never fully explain its evolution throughout history. Literature in the 19th century would certainly not have included music, but considering that many people today who love and are involved with literature get into music, since the world of literature is not as great an arena nowadays for sharing your thoughts and emotions, music has adapted to become much more of a part of literature.
I am reminded of a project in high school, where I had the option of performing, in song, a piece of literature. I placed a poem to music that I had never heard played before, but I felt that once I played the song in a style most fitting of the content, I understood the emotion and message of the poem. So I guess, it depends how you see literature. Our period is one of destructing preconceptions, so why not touch on literature?
music as literature
As much as I hate that a side really can't be taken on this issue, I don't think that one really can. I think whether or not a piece of music can be defined as literature really does depend on a number of factors including content, public reception, the importance of the lyrics, and even the style of music. For instance, I'm really inclined to say that Don Mclean's American Pie is literature, or Bob Dylan's The Times They Are A-Changin are literary in nature. However, the Madonna version of American Pie, to me, is not. Though the lyrics themselves are the same, the style of music to which they are sung definitely takes away from the way that the music and the lyrics affect you. In the original version, the lyrics are thought-provoking, while Madonna's version is just a dance ballad. I guess it's interesting that the actual music, rather than the lyrics, can affect the perceived literary value of a song, but for me it definitely does.
American Pie
I really like the way the American Pie podcast went into depth with the analysis of the song, especially with the comparison to Madonna's version. Its interesting to see the attempted transferrance of a classic hit to the next generation. I'm sure the original is just as appreciated, if not more, without Madonna ruining it by 'updating it.'