Sometimes an sf writer presents a list, for example of familiar names or events, but then continues that list into the future. Thus, Poul Anderson's Jesse Nicol asks:
"'What's the sense in producing an imitation Odyssey, The Trojan Women, Hamlet, The Waste Land, Elegy at Jupiter?" (p. 83)
We know four of these titles. Nicol knows them and the fifth. He tells us what all five have in common:
"'Those spoke about love, strife, triumph, grief, terror, mystery, in the language of the people and their gods, or people who'd lost their gods but were gaining a universe.'" (ibid.)
Nicol's problem is that, for centuries, all writing, music, art and science has been nothing but variations on old forms and themes, trying to revivify:
"'...something...that was worn-out before their grandparents were born.'" (ibid.)
It is appropriate that his list ends with an elegy.
4 comments:
All art is imitative.
The only original thinker was Adam.
Kaor, Paul!
I sympathize for Jesse Nicol's frustration, his society and culture had hardened to a deadening, monotonous stasis. Arts and sciences can only be dynamic when vigorous and open to change, competition, risks/costs/dangers.
Ad astra! Sean
To be more precise, all art is in coversation with all previous art.
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