Assignment #2

"There is no direct address in literature: it isn't what you say but how it's said that's important there. The literary writer isn't giving information, either about a subject or about his state of mind: he's trying to let something take on its own form, whether it's a poem or novel or whatever." (p.24)

I agree with Frye's statement and relate to it. It is what comes from the writers thoughts that make literature. I found it fascinating reading how Frye relates to many famous novels in chapter 2. Especially with books that I can also relate to. Frye's understanding of literature is astounding, he explains the fundamentals it takes to write good literature and helps me benefit from his knowledge, leaving me with a better understanding of the history of literature.

Assignment #1

“…We tend to think of the sciences as intellectual and the arts as emotional: one starts with the world as it is, the other with the world we want to have.” (p.9)

Northrop Frye expresses that not only are sciences only intellectual and arts only emotional, but that a high level art and a high level science are similar and that "it's nonsense to think of the scientist as a cold unemotional reasoner and the artist as somebody who's in a perpetual emotional tizzy." (p.9) I agree with Frye's reasoning behind what one thinks of a scientist compared to an artist, though they are different, they demonstrate one's personal commitment and how strong of an effort they put in determines the outcome of their work. Both professions need intelligence to come up with ideas or experiments and without trying you will go no where. McCullough states that you should "Underline, make notes in the margins, and after a few years, go back and read it again…” which is generally what Frye mentions when he says you must go over what you said and think about it.