The observation about the lack of activist characters in fiction, with realistic day life around their work for the cause they support, is so true.
I like the fact that you put links inside the text. Those links and the fact that you refer to recent other articles, show that you are solid in what you bring us. You are not stagnant in your knowledge about the subject. That saves the idea that activism is a relevant mode of communication in a democracy. It is actual even if it is often depicted as savage or past date.
I like also your approach of hypothesis and bringing inputs of informations with respect of the intelligence of the reader to make his own mind (to agree or not with some points, let go his own curiosity/focus on others...).
Would you be open to, one day, offer your observations about societal conflicts VS internal and external conflicts in fiction ?
Of the 11 guesses, the one that most fascinates me is #3: "fiction in Western contemporary culture, especially since the Cold War, tends to focus on individual characters tackling dilemmas and challenges on their own, without reference to “any community, ideology, or political system.” (Annie Levin, “How Creative Writing Programs De-Politicized Fiction,” Current Affairs, April 18, 2022.) There is something deeply wrong about this, but true to our hyperindividualism as a culture. I read a lot, and this has bothered me but inchoately, it wasn't something I could easily put my finger on. I just read Vagabonds! by Eloghosa Osunde, set in Nigeria, and the difference is very easy for me to put my finger on: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/667821/vagabonds-by-eloghosa-osunde/ Thank you for your 11 guesses! + each other thing you included in the latest piece +have written on this website!
I really enjoyed your latest newsletter, Julianna. Food for thought!
It's true, there is a lack of activist characters in fiction concerning real life everyday people's lives that involves their activist work while living a life of struggle, servitude and survival; sharing our common experiences for a greater cause we activist live, support, eat and sleep is a noble cause.
Certainly food for thought. Also, young adult or children's books/movies/shows would have to avoid "controversial" topics to prevent any challenge to the status quo. I can imagine my brother and his wife rolling their eyes if I found and sent such literature to their kids; they refuse to even discuss politics with me. Anyway, this is why I love good political thrillers - exploring unjust systems is a key part of the drama, though of course the focus is generally on individual (often white) heroes.
Also, I recall feeling unfulfilled, even as a youth or youth adult, after watching or reading about a story of an underdog who overcame adversity to "succeed" in the conventional sense. I recall often thinking - what about everyone they left behind? How is this one individual's triumph changing anything? What will they do with their newfound success? They call them "feel good" stories, but I often felt frustrated. Some of us are born with an innate sense of justice for all, despite the toxic individualism hammered into us by U.S. society.
I do think Grace Paley, activist all her life, and some of her short stories, including the one perhaps most anthologized, "A Conversation with My Father," subtly did this work while layering with another powerful level of conflict. What do you think?
Over a year late, but thanks, I really enjoyed this list of reasons activists are missing in fiction. Thanks especially for the Current Affairs article, which I'll read now. On a related, and somewhat taboo topic: I find Substack way to full of people writing about very individually focused topics, lots of random memoir-type reflections and no where near enough stuff on collectives. Really glad I find this newsletter and great to have you back writing regularly!
I really enjoy your newsletter !
The observation about the lack of activist characters in fiction, with realistic day life around their work for the cause they support, is so true.
I like the fact that you put links inside the text. Those links and the fact that you refer to recent other articles, show that you are solid in what you bring us. You are not stagnant in your knowledge about the subject. That saves the idea that activism is a relevant mode of communication in a democracy. It is actual even if it is often depicted as savage or past date.
I like also your approach of hypothesis and bringing inputs of informations with respect of the intelligence of the reader to make his own mind (to agree or not with some points, let go his own curiosity/focus on others...).
Would you be open to, one day, offer your observations about societal conflicts VS internal and external conflicts in fiction ?
Bravo for your good work !
Of the 11 guesses, the one that most fascinates me is #3: "fiction in Western contemporary culture, especially since the Cold War, tends to focus on individual characters tackling dilemmas and challenges on their own, without reference to “any community, ideology, or political system.” (Annie Levin, “How Creative Writing Programs De-Politicized Fiction,” Current Affairs, April 18, 2022.) There is something deeply wrong about this, but true to our hyperindividualism as a culture. I read a lot, and this has bothered me but inchoately, it wasn't something I could easily put my finger on. I just read Vagabonds! by Eloghosa Osunde, set in Nigeria, and the difference is very easy for me to put my finger on: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/667821/vagabonds-by-eloghosa-osunde/ Thank you for your 11 guesses! + each other thing you included in the latest piece +have written on this website!
I really enjoyed your latest newsletter, Julianna. Food for thought!
It's true, there is a lack of activist characters in fiction concerning real life everyday people's lives that involves their activist work while living a life of struggle, servitude and survival; sharing our common experiences for a greater cause we activist live, support, eat and sleep is a noble cause.
Awesome article. Bravo!
Certainly food for thought. Also, young adult or children's books/movies/shows would have to avoid "controversial" topics to prevent any challenge to the status quo. I can imagine my brother and his wife rolling their eyes if I found and sent such literature to their kids; they refuse to even discuss politics with me. Anyway, this is why I love good political thrillers - exploring unjust systems is a key part of the drama, though of course the focus is generally on individual (often white) heroes.
Also, I recall feeling unfulfilled, even as a youth or youth adult, after watching or reading about a story of an underdog who overcame adversity to "succeed" in the conventional sense. I recall often thinking - what about everyone they left behind? How is this one individual's triumph changing anything? What will they do with their newfound success? They call them "feel good" stories, but I often felt frustrated. Some of us are born with an innate sense of justice for all, despite the toxic individualism hammered into us by U.S. society.
I do think Grace Paley, activist all her life, and some of her short stories, including the one perhaps most anthologized, "A Conversation with My Father," subtly did this work while layering with another powerful level of conflict. What do you think?
Over a year late, but thanks, I really enjoyed this list of reasons activists are missing in fiction. Thanks especially for the Current Affairs article, which I'll read now. On a related, and somewhat taboo topic: I find Substack way to full of people writing about very individually focused topics, lots of random memoir-type reflections and no where near enough stuff on collectives. Really glad I find this newsletter and great to have you back writing regularly!