Spring Break
Literary legend Doctorow speaks
- Page 1 of 1
| |
|
His speech, which lasted about an hour, was timed to coincide with this year's 125th anniversary of The Johns Hopkins University Press, the oldest university press in America.
Doctorow's illustrious literary career has included numerous literary awards, such as the National Book Award and two National Book Critics Circle Awards.
His most popular book, Ragtime, has been converted into successful productions both on the stage and screen.
On Thursday, Doctorow started off his speech humorously, remarking that a writer in the Baltimore Sun called him "deep."
He also mentioned several authors who have inspired him throughout his life, including Henry James, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Mark Twain, Franz Kafka and Herman Melville.
Quickly taking a more serious tone, Doctorow examined the Bible as a piece of literature, stating that it was "the supreme achievement of the writers themselves."
He also said "God is the most interesting character [in literature]."
After addressing the merits, both literally and religiously, of the Bible, Doctorow proceeded to discuss the character of a novelist.
He stated a novelist should employ all the disciplines, from "science and theology" to the "mutterings of poor, mad people in the street."
All of these ideas have "equal weight in my mind," he said.
He went on to discuss how literature and writing is a "mega-discipline." He compared in to a religion but said that unlike religion, "literature does not call upon followers."
Later in his speech, Doctorow referred to literature as "another great religion the great ones practice and it has no name."
The speech took a political tone twice during the evening.
First, Doctorow brought up religious fundamentalism, stating it was totally inflexible and therefore unworkable because "God or the state has done all the writing that is necessary for anyone for all time."
Towards the end of his speech, Doctorow also attacked President Bush and wondered "if I am the only one who finds my country increasingly difficult to recognize."
Throughout his speech, Doctorow idealized the role of the writer in society.
He made a point of showing that writers and religion have a unique relationship because "all writers worth a name are unaffiliated because that's what it means to be kicked out of the garden."
Doctorow ended his speech comparing the 21st century to Herman Melville's Moby Dick. He stated that the white whale was too much for the pequod, and that the 21st century could be our equivalent of the white whale.
At the conclusion of his speech, Doctorow participated in a question and answer session.
Five audience members asked Doctorow questions on everything from the New Testament to the war in Iraq.
The last audience member praised Doctorow as one of the most important writers of the twentieth century.
By giving the speech, Doctorow became the twentieth speaker to take part in the G. Harry Pouder Memorial Lecture, a yearly lecture focused on American or English literature.
Previously speakers have included Joyce Carol Oates, Ray Bradbury, and last year's speaker, Arthur Golden.
In addition to his other awards, Doctrow has also been honored by the PEN/Faulkner Award, Edith Wharton Award Citation for Fiction, the William Dean Howells Medal of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and the National Humanities Medal.
Although Ragtime is his most famous work, other titles include Welcome to Hard Times, The Book of Daniel, Loon Lake, Lives of the Poets, World's Fair, Billy Bathgate, The Waterworks, City of God and his most latest book, published by The Johns Hopkins University Press, Three Screenplays.
Afterwards, Doctorow signed copies of Three Screenplays in the Shriver Hall lobby.