So I was a little confused with Ideology at first, but I think that it finally clicked for me. If it didn't, and my example is completely wrong, then someone PLEASE tell me!
I was pondering what Steve said about an author being the diamond/pearl in Marx's excerpt of Capital. It's true that we do make the author into this valuable, almost royal, person who magically produces wondrous works of literature. When we first started to read about how an author shouldn't matter, I really did have to take a step back and consider that.
Anyways, back to diamonds and pearls. Marx says that there is no natural value in these things, but that we create an exchange-value for them. Even now I sit here and think about what used to be considered worthy as being used as exchange: shells, beaver pelts, linen, gold. They have nothing in common, nothing that's built into them. It's all about what we establish as being "valuable."
Now, there's no telling how this brought me to my next conclusion but Marx's idea of commodity and value suddenly had me thinking of the Wizard of Oz. That's right, good 'ol "lions and tigers and bears, oh my!" Almost the entire movie is spent seeking out the great and powerful wizard (aka the diamond, the pearl, the gold): This 'wizard' is basically the 'author' of the whole entire Emerald City. The citizens have made him into this valuable source of knowledge and magic. But of course we all know what happens next...he turns out to be this guy:
Oops...
The point is, just like a diamond, the 'great and powerful wizard' isn't born with this incredible power and value. Society gave him his importance and value over others. Does any of the ring a bell? With the word...author, perhaps? I guess what I'm trying to say is 'great and powerful wizard' = author. Their value is created, but if you look past that ideology, you can see that they really don't hold any special value over the rest of us.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
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I like that you brought up the wizard from The Wizard of Oz, because up until reading this I only thought to apply what Marx was taling about to material objects, like a diamond engagement ring. It seems like today the authors that we view as great or classics, are viewed that way because of their name. We place the value on their name because of one piece, so therefore all their works are great. Take for example what we talked about in class. All of Shakespeare's works are considered to be classic and studied in many classes, when in reality not all of his works are as good as others from the Renaissance era.
ReplyDeleteBeing from Kansas and all, I really appreciate you bringing up the Wizard of Oz.
ReplyDeleteThat's all :)