RESPONSE OF PROFESSOR ANNA BALAKIAN 1. Yes. 2. It is quite the other way. People trained as priv- ileged readers have appropriated the language of the above-mentioned disciplines and are triyng to apply these methodologies to the reading of literature which they have reduced to the dimension of "text". I think the public will soon react to the charlatans now in power. If we lose the practice of consolidating creative writings into a historical structure that binds them over and above chauvinistically isolated units, we could be reduced to the reading of frag- ments squezred to reveal only ideas robbed of aesthetic considerations. Literature would become a series of shoot- ing stars rather then galaxies. Those who cannot appreciate literature would like to see its demise. 3. Multiculturalism is tending to divMe and separate and create rivalry -- comparative literature unites, creates con- tacts, cooperations, cohesion in the literature of the world. ES. I am most distressed with the current process of de- construction of European culture in America, instigated by unhappy, disgruntled Europan pseudo-philosophers who have found a happy hunting ground here particularly among a group called "politically correct", a coalition of misguided blacks and other so-called minorities and their

Response of professor Anna Balakian

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RESPONSE OF PROFESSOR ANNA BALAKIAN

1. Yes.

2. It is quite the other way. People trained as priv- ileged readers have appropriated the language of the above-mentioned disciplines and are triyng to apply these methodologies to the reading of literature which they have reduced to the dimension of "text". I think the public will soon react to the charlatans now in power. If we lose the practice of consolidating creative writings into a historical structure that binds them over and above chauvinistically isolated units, we could be reduced to the reading of frag- ments squezred to reveal only ideas robbed of aesthetic considerations. Literature would become a series of shoot- ing stars rather then galaxies.

Those who cannot appreciate literature would like to see its demise.

3. Multiculturalism is tending to divMe and separate and create rivalry - - comparative literature unites, creates con- tacts, cooperations, cohesion in the literature of the world.

ES. I am most distressed with the current process of de- construction of European culture in America, instigated by unhappy, disgruntled Europan pseudo-philosophers who have found a happy hunting ground here particularly among a group called "politically correct", a coalition of misguided blacks and other so-called minorities and their

Page 2: Response of professor Anna Balakian

12 THE PROBLEM OF LITERARY HISTORY

leftest supporters, i. e. radical theorists. Since the aim is to raise "the self-esteem" of the culturally deprived, values in literary writing are being minimized. Women's groups and the sexually disoriented have also joined in praise of the marginal. The European instigators find the situtation very lucrative since they dominate the literary academic scene and among the young those who follow the line or the "politically correct" get the coveted positions.

Here is what I think. My article in Neohelicon XVIIF1 gave an elaborate pic-

ture of the state of literary studies. Since them things have gotten worse. In my opinion a very shocking situation ex- ists in American academia and people who should be in sociology or clinical psychology have taken over literary studies.