2. The critics [from this assignment] assert that a writer of Chopin's talent should have chosen a more appropriate subject matter. Are talent as a writer and choice of subject matter so easily separable?
2. The more talented an author, the more likely that they will not be restricted by previously written literature or the societal beliefs of their time. Therefore, being the talented writer that Chopin is, she was well-equipped with taking on a controversial subject matter in a time when an independent woman was rare are criticized. Choosing an common subject matter would not adequately showcase her talent as she would merely be following in the footsteps of the authors before her.
I agree that Chopin's talent was able to "shine" through such a controversial subject matter and that perhaps she would not have done as well if she had written about a "common subject;" however, I believe that this is so because Chopin was uninterested in the norms of that time, therefore, any other writing would have been written halfheartedly, and perhaps with less devotion. We also have to consider, is The Awakening remembered best because of Chopin's style (talent) or because of its controversy (content)?
I agree that Chopin's talent was able to "shine" through such a controversial subject matter and that perhaps she would not have done as well if she had written about a "common subject;" however, I believe that this is so because Chopin was uninterested in the norms of that time, therefore, any other writing would have been written halfheartedly, and perhaps with less devotion. We also have to consider, is The Awakening remembered best because of Chopin's style (talent) or because of its controversy (content)?
Talent and subject matter are inherently inseparable because passion of a subject inevitably leads to better writing performance. For example, Chopin's talent would have been underestimated if she had to write about a subject that defied her beliefs, such as why women should submit to their husbands, because her bias would hinder her writing talent. On the other hand, Chopin's talent as a writer was emphasized in The Awakening, as all critics agree, because she was passionate about the subject, which all critics view as distasteful.
Talent and subject matter are inherently inseparable because passion of a subject inevitably leads to better writing performance. For example, Chopin's talent would have been underestimated if she had to write about a subject that defied her beliefs, such as why women should submit to their husbands, because her bias would hinder her writing talent. On the other hand, Chopin's talent as a writer was emphasized in The Awakening, as all critics agree, because she was passionate about the subject, which all critics view as distasteful.
Nancy, I totally agree that if Chopin had tried to write about something she didn't believe in then she wouldn't have written as well. It seems like the critics didn't take into account that part of the reason she was able to write so well was because she cared about her subject matter. She wouldn't have taken the time to create such a well written book if she didn't care about what she was writing about which displays how you can't separate talent from the subject matter. Her talent won't be evident if she's writing about something she doesn't believe in because it won't reflect her genuine beliefs.
Like Nancy said, the talent of a writer is measured upon how passionate the writer is on the subject. Therefore, subject and talent are inseparable. If Chopin were to absolutely hate feminism, yet still wrote The Awakening, it would be a completely different book. Your heart has to be in anything you do in order to do such a great job at it.
Alyssa, I like that you made the remark that if Chopin hadn't believed in feminism, yet had still attempted to write The Awakening, it would be a totally different novel. Even as high school students, when we don't feel a connection to a work or subject and are told to write about it, we don't perform nearly as well as we could if we were able to write about something we easily could relate to.
I think your comment that "Your heart has to be in anything you do in order to do such a great job at it." sums up this question perfectly. This statement is true with anything that people do. If your heart isn't in something and you don't truly love what you are doing, then the result is not going to be flawless and incredible as compared to someone who's heart is fully in it. It all has to do with the writer's feelings and point of views on things involved in his or her novel.
I strongly believe that the talent of a true, strong writer can be apparent in any subject at all as long as they are well informed in their topic and strive to represent their skills and technique in their description of it. When choosing a subject to write about, I feel like all writers would hope for one that they are both passionate about and share an emotional connection to, making it easier to express their feelings and justify the subject as a whole. These critics seem to overlook the fact that Edna feels a very deep connection to independence from her husband and his restrains, therefore she is going to write passionately about it and express herself in her work, that's just a fact. If a man were to write about wishing to be free from his wife during the same time period and he were regarded as a talented writer, there would have most likely been a much different reaction from critics.
I agree! This is also seen when we did the background information about Chopin. She was raised and surrounded by pretty much all women. This personal connection really goes to show in her views on the subject matter as she writes about something she is truly familiar with.
I don't think that talent as a writer and choice of subject matter are as easily separable as the reviews are making them out to be. A talented writer has many works and non of these are going to be the same. Sure, a writer usually has his/her normal style that most of her works are centered around but what is so bad about changing it up a little bit? I believe that a truly great writer can write about any topic and subject matter that he or she wants and it will be equally as amazing as their other works. The choice of subject matter is really just a topic for another work. If the writing itself is still wonderful then what is wrong with venturing out a little bit every once in a while.
I do not believe that Chopin should have chosen a different subject to write about. If it was something she was so passionate about that she wrote a novel, she may not have even had the ability to choose a different subject. We cannot choose what we feel passionate about, so the talents of writers are not necessarily separable from the subject matter. If Chopin wrote about some other subject, it may not have been a decent novel.
I agree that her passion is what drove her to write what she did. An author's passion shouldn't be directed by others, it can come from only the author. If she wrote in a different subject, she wouldn't have been remembered for what she did write and we may have not even been reading this book in the first place.
Subject matter and the talent of a writer are inseparable because if a writer is as talented as critics claim him/her to be, then he/she should be able to write about any subject, given he/she has knowledge about it. When writers are beginning to write, they write about what they know, and as they grow, they tackle ambiguous subjects. I believe that any writer who can make his/her argument effectively is worthy enough to write about difficult subjects.
I really agree with you that a talented writer should be able to write about anything. I love the comment/point you make about how at first writers write what they know and as they improve they can tackle more ambiguous subjects. The ideas Chopin took on in this book (gender roles, social standards, etc.) really are ambiguous and difficult subjects to write about. The skill it took for Chopin to put these ideas into a story is evident even if the subject matter wasn't appreciated at the time/ by everyone.
Subject matter and talent as a writer are linked together by critics, but it does factor into if the work is successful or not. Writers should be to write what they are passionate about in their subject matter. Chopin's work wouldn't have been as successful in a different subject matter in my opinion.
2. The more talented an author, the more likely that they will not be restricted by previously written literature or the societal beliefs of their time. Therefore, being the talented writer that Chopin is, she was well-equipped with taking on a controversial subject matter in a time when an independent woman was rare are criticized. Choosing an common subject matter would not adequately showcase her talent as she would merely be following in the footsteps of the authors before her.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Chopin's talent was able to "shine" through such a controversial subject matter and that perhaps she would not have done as well if she had written about a "common subject;" however, I believe that this is so because Chopin was uninterested in the norms of that time, therefore, any other writing would have been written halfheartedly, and perhaps with less devotion. We also have to consider, is The Awakening remembered best because of Chopin's style (talent) or because of its controversy (content)?
DeleteI agree that Chopin's talent was able to "shine" through such a controversial subject matter and that perhaps she would not have done as well if she had written about a "common subject;" however, I believe that this is so because Chopin was uninterested in the norms of that time, therefore, any other writing would have been written halfheartedly, and perhaps with less devotion. We also have to consider, is The Awakening remembered best because of Chopin's style (talent) or because of its controversy (content)?
DeleteTalent and subject matter are inherently inseparable because passion of a subject inevitably leads to better writing performance. For example, Chopin's talent would have been underestimated if she had to write about a subject that defied her beliefs, such as why women should submit to their husbands, because her bias would hinder her writing talent. On the other hand, Chopin's talent as a writer was emphasized in The Awakening, as all critics agree, because she was passionate about the subject, which all critics view as distasteful.
ReplyDeleteTalent and subject matter are inherently inseparable because passion of a subject inevitably leads to better writing performance. For example, Chopin's talent would have been underestimated if she had to write about a subject that defied her beliefs, such as why women should submit to their husbands, because her bias would hinder her writing talent. On the other hand, Chopin's talent as a writer was emphasized in The Awakening, as all critics agree, because she was passionate about the subject, which all critics view as distasteful.
ReplyDeleteNancy, I totally agree that if Chopin had tried to write about something she didn't believe in then she wouldn't have written as well. It seems like the critics didn't take into account that part of the reason she was able to write so well was because she cared about her subject matter. She wouldn't have taken the time to create such a well written book if she didn't care about what she was writing about which displays how you can't separate talent from the subject matter. Her talent won't be evident if she's writing about something she doesn't believe in because it won't reflect her genuine beliefs.
DeleteLike Nancy said, the talent of a writer is measured upon how passionate the writer is on the subject. Therefore, subject and talent are inseparable. If Chopin were to absolutely hate feminism, yet still wrote The Awakening, it would be a completely different book. Your heart has to be in anything you do in order to do such a great job at it.
ReplyDeleteAlyssa, I like that you made the remark that if Chopin hadn't believed in feminism, yet had still attempted to write The Awakening, it would be a totally different novel. Even as high school students, when we don't feel a connection to a work or subject and are told to write about it, we don't perform nearly as well as we could if we were able to write about something we easily could relate to.
DeleteI think your comment that "Your heart has to be in anything you do in order to do such a great job at it." sums up this question perfectly. This statement is true with anything that people do. If your heart isn't in something and you don't truly love what you are doing, then the result is not going to be flawless and incredible as compared to someone who's heart is fully in it. It all has to do with the writer's feelings and point of views on things involved in his or her novel.
DeleteI strongly believe that the talent of a true, strong writer can be apparent in any subject at all as long as they are well informed in their topic and strive to represent their skills and technique in their description of it. When choosing a subject to write about, I feel like all writers would hope for one that they are both passionate about and share an emotional connection to, making it easier to express their feelings and justify the subject as a whole. These critics seem to overlook the fact that Edna feels a very deep connection to independence from her husband and his restrains, therefore she is going to write passionately about it and express herself in her work, that's just a fact. If a man were to write about wishing to be free from his wife during the same time period and he were regarded as a talented writer, there would have most likely been a much different reaction from critics.
ReplyDeleteI agree! This is also seen when we did the background information about Chopin. She was raised and surrounded by pretty much all women. This personal connection really goes to show in her views on the subject matter as she writes about something she is truly familiar with.
DeleteI don't think that talent as a writer and choice of subject matter are as easily separable as the reviews are making them out to be. A talented writer has many works and non of these are going to be the same. Sure, a writer usually has his/her normal style that most of her works are centered around but what is so bad about changing it up a little bit? I believe that a truly great writer can write about any topic and subject matter that he or she wants and it will be equally as amazing as their other works. The choice of subject matter is really just a topic for another work. If the writing itself is still wonderful then what is wrong with venturing out a little bit every once in a while.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI do not believe that Chopin should have chosen a different subject to write about. If it was something she was so passionate about that she wrote a novel, she may not have even had the ability to choose a different subject. We cannot choose what we feel passionate about, so the talents of writers are not necessarily separable from the subject matter. If Chopin wrote about some other subject, it may not have been a decent novel.
ReplyDeleteI agree that her passion is what drove her to write what she did. An author's passion shouldn't be directed by others, it can come from only the author. If she wrote in a different subject, she wouldn't have been remembered for what she did write and we may have not even been reading this book in the first place.
DeleteSubject matter and the talent of a writer are inseparable because if a writer is as talented as critics claim him/her to be, then he/she should be able to write about any subject, given he/she has knowledge about it. When writers are beginning to write, they write about what they know, and as they grow, they tackle ambiguous subjects. I believe that any writer who can make his/her argument effectively is worthy enough to write about difficult subjects.
ReplyDeleteI really agree with you that a talented writer should be able to write about anything. I love the comment/point you make about how at first writers write what they know and as they improve they can tackle more ambiguous subjects. The ideas Chopin took on in this book (gender roles, social standards, etc.) really are ambiguous and difficult subjects to write about. The skill it took for Chopin to put these ideas into a story is evident even if the subject matter wasn't appreciated at the time/ by everyone.
DeleteSubject matter and talent as a writer are linked together by critics, but it does factor into if the work is successful or not. Writers should be to write what they are passionate about in their subject matter. Chopin's work wouldn't have been as successful in a different subject matter in my opinion.
ReplyDelete