Quiz Two
15%
In approximately 5-7 sentences, please answer the following. Clarity and precision are key.
- Pollock and Nam Le’s “Love and Honour” are both about artists’ discomfort with mythmaking. Explain this statement.
The statement explains how the artists behind these art pieces rejected the mainstream tendency to deny producing works that were not authentic to the source material. The portrayal of Pollock by Ed Harris in the film shows the reality around the labor of creativity and talent in individuals living with disease, examining the peaks of his painting and alcoholism as well as the depths of his depression. On the other hand, Nam Le uses his story to tell a truly ethnic tale exploring his culture by highlighting cultural differences with western audiences. By taking the bold step and focusing on authentic experiences, these art pieces exemplify how truth can be leveraged to create spectacular pieces of art. These authors take different approaches but arrive at the same conclusion behind the artistic masterpieces and the strength of their stylistic and narrative devices.
- “We anointed you the King of Sentences,” I told him. “We’re the ones who did that. Nobody else.” I didn’t want to bully him with news of how scarcely his name circulated, how stale and marked-down the assembly of his hardcovers on used-bookstore shelves.
What does this passage from Lethem tell us about the concept of the artist?
From this passage, Lethem tells us that the artist is indebted to the perception and reverence of their intended audience, which entitles fans to a sense of ownership in the ‘person’ of the creative. When the narrator emphasizes the fact that they were the only people who acknowledged what they perceived as the true genius of the King of Sentences, it is clear that he feels entitled to recognition and acknowledgment. The narrator then explains that because the King of Sentences was relatively unknown in literary circles, his presence and identity as an author were tied to him and Clea. The use of the term bully shows that the narrator and Clea think they have power over the artistry and the recognition of the ‘King of Sentences.’ Overall, Lethem explores the nature of the relationship between the artist and his audience and the resulting power dynamics that emerge as fans meet their idol.