Oh, I just love this discourse! You’ve got a point. Books have always been and always will be political. No story can exist out of context. There will always be some ideas, beliefs, values, etc. The story may reflect not only the author’s personal views on cultural, social, or political issues, but also the general climate of the world at the time. I believe that to write is to influence.
And it is honestly such a privilege to think that books are just ✨ pages with words for fun ✨! They can be for fun. Sometimes they should be, really. But I would hate to even talk to someone who is blind to how literature reflects the world around us; moreover, I think it is capable of shifting perspectives and igniting possible change.
A lot of people are scared of politics in any form (for an unknown reason, at least to me); maybe that’s why they try to turn a blind eye to the context of the story. But at the end of the day, ‘you’re not into politics until politics is into you’ (or something like that; I’m not a native speaker, so it’s hard to quote something I remember vaguely).
Interesting. I don't know what "booktok" is but, the notion that books will always be political is not just wrong, but also scary. Yes, books CAN be political, but this relationship is a contingent one, not a necessary one. Moreover, just because a book is not political doesn't mean it has less meaning or is somehow thereby reduced to being little else than a 'fun hobby'. Let's not confuse meaning with political. The two are completely distinct. If one chooses a political interpretation of a book that of course is fine. But that does not thereby mean that the book is political....
I absolutely agree with you. What I meant was the notion of separating books and reading from political discourse bc it ruins the fun of reading that was talked about on tik tok. specially regarding books that do have political themes. Not that a book won't have value if it's not political. Every book and story serves its own purpose and its value comes from how successful it is to convay whatever message or feeling the author intended. So I'm sorry if it came out the wrong way
@@mell.diaries Gotcha. I'm an old guy (53) so no doubt was unaware of this trend. So the fault in interpretation is mine alone. And yes, on that you're absolutely right. To strip a book of a thematic element is not only a great disservice to the book and the author, but also to yourself as the reader, as your understanding will thereby be incomplete. I just had to click and comment as I love books, and love a good rant. You're great. :-)
But what story exists outside politics? If I were to take a very popular, 'non-political' book like harry potter for example, it is also examining the critical race argument (mud blood vs. Pure blood) propaganda and government corruption, role of liberal education and so on. It is impossible to write a story without political undertones. Heck, i'd even go as far as to say that the deliberate removal of politics from a story is a political act.
Oh, I just love this discourse!
You’ve got a point. Books have always been and always will be political. No story can exist out of context. There will always be some ideas, beliefs, values, etc. The story may reflect not only the author’s personal views on cultural, social, or political issues, but also the general climate of the world at the time. I believe that to write is to influence.
And it is honestly such a privilege to think that books are just ✨ pages with words for fun ✨! They can be for fun. Sometimes they should be, really. But I would hate to even talk to someone who is blind to how literature reflects the world around us; moreover, I think it is capable of shifting perspectives and igniting possible change.
A lot of people are scared of politics in any form (for an unknown reason, at least to me); maybe that’s why they try to turn a blind eye to the context of the story. But at the end of the day, ‘you’re not into politics until politics is into you’ (or something like that; I’m not a native speaker, so it’s hard to quote something I remember vaguely).
As Kundera said, before russian tanks comes russian Dostoevsky, he was right sadly
Interesting. I don't know what "booktok" is but, the notion that books will always be political is not just wrong, but also scary. Yes, books CAN be political, but this relationship is a contingent one, not a necessary one. Moreover, just because a book is not political doesn't mean it has less meaning or is somehow thereby reduced to being little else than a 'fun hobby'. Let's not confuse meaning with political. The two are completely distinct. If one chooses a political interpretation of a book that of course is fine. But that does not thereby mean that the book is political....
I absolutely agree with you. What I meant was the notion of separating books and reading from political discourse bc it ruins the fun of reading that was talked about on tik tok. specially regarding books that do have political themes. Not that a book won't have value if it's not political. Every book and story serves its own purpose and its value comes from how successful it is to convay whatever message or feeling the author intended. So I'm sorry if it came out the wrong way
@@mell.diaries Gotcha. I'm an old guy (53) so no doubt was unaware of this trend. So the fault in interpretation is mine alone. And yes, on that you're absolutely right. To strip a book of a thematic element is not only a great disservice to the book and the author, but also to yourself as the reader, as your understanding will thereby be incomplete. I just had to click and comment as I love books, and love a good rant. You're great. :-)
You deserve more views. Thoughtful rants are too few and far between.
@@steved1135 Thank you so much!
But what story exists outside politics? If I were to take a very popular, 'non-political' book like harry potter for example, it is also examining the critical race argument (mud blood vs. Pure blood) propaganda and government corruption, role of liberal education and so on. It is impossible to write a story without political undertones. Heck, i'd even go as far as to say that the deliberate removal of politics from a story is a political act.