This time of year we begin seeing recommendations of books for Christmas presents. This article is also a recommendation for a gift book but I admit that I have an ulterior motive. I intend to compare this book with another one in order to illustrate a political phenomenon that has always intrigued me.
The phenomenon I am referring to is how political trends exert a disproportionate influence on art and entertainment. Conversely, art and entertainment, i.e. works of fiction, have the power to sway political opinions.
In the last one hundred years American political beliefs have changed more rapidly and radically than during any previous century. Most of these changes have not been propitious. And, beginning around 1960, writers realized that they had a better chance of being published if their books reinforced current political trends.
To demonstrate these changes, let’s look at two books beginning with the similarities, which are striking: Two female authors both born and raised in the South. Each wrote a first novel that became a best seller but neither was able to produce a second. Both books were set in the South and both won Pulitzer Prizes for literature. Both novels were made into successful Hollywood films and both films won Academy Awards in various categories.
When I tell you that one book was published in the 1930s and the other in the 1960s you will know I am referring to Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With the Wind and Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. But with all the similarities mentioned above, it would be difficult to imagine two more disparate books.
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I believe Gail Jarvis is 100% correct.
ReplyDeleteYes and a good man.
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