I read a poem and thought to myself, “I like this” but I couldn’t go further than that. I don’t usually have particularly strong reaction to poetry; to me they are just words that are perceived to still make sense despite flouting paragraphical and sometimes even grammatical conventions. So I wonder, are we taught to enjoy such products of high culture?
Consider the example of paintings. I cannot foresee a genuine delight in viewing abstract paintings. Impressionist, yes, because Impressionism represents very distinctly a world we are acquainted with. Abstract requires a certain understanding of art theory, of the artist and can only be articulated in a learned vocabulary. Is appreciation for abstract paintings a genuine feeling or is it a scholarly reaction to it? The same goes for literary work — literature students tend to like the high-brow obscure writings and can talk about these works using terms like allegory and metaphor (and the likes). Were they really moved by the piece, or do they like it because they can discuss it in ways they were taught to?
I know I seem to be always questioning Literature as a subject and its students. Apart from Literature, anything mildly “artistic”, like music, dance, art and theatre demands the same question of me – why do these disciplines necessitate to a large extent the approval of high authority in validating a work? Why does a play about women waiting for nothing garner respect and adoration? Why must a Piccasso piece be worth any more than a child’s doodling?
I think receivers of artistic expression can should and must be the only judge. If I like it, it is good enough for me. I don’t have to know it came from a so-and-so master, or a such-and-such prodigy. I think the human mind and body is able to judge very for itself what is pleasing. There are smells that I like, songs I hum to myself, books that make me laugh and weep, paintings that make my heart skip a beat, clothes that stop me in my path, a taste I remember for a long long time, jokes that I retell time and again … these are all uncontrollable reactions and feelings which should not be suppressed in favour of high-brow learned speak.
Don’t tell me what to like, don’t teach me how to enjoy.
