Interpreting America: A Matter of Perspective
Can interpreting American literature be a matter of perspective? And could one’s interpretation be as misguided as one’s perception?
You are about to read a revised edition of one of my graduate papers for my American Lit class. With that said, I don’t know your position on the American ideal, but I challenge you to read this article with an open mind.
I encourage you to share your thoughts in the comments section. Let’s start a discussion from this piece.
The Apostol Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:22 to “abstain from all appearance of evil.” It has also been said that “perception is reality,” and all of life is a matter of perspective.
According to Paul’s writings, what one may be involved in may not be evil, but it must be so if it is “perceived” to be so. Can interpreting American literature be a matter of perspective? And could one’s interpretation be as misguided as one’s perception?
Blood Meridian and The Blue Hotel both take place in the 19th century; albeit one’s setting is more Midwest, while the other is more West (and South), it is essential to note some of the historical events that took place during that period. For instance, in the 19th century, specifically…
