Western Canonicity & Modernity: A Harold Bloom Analysis - Essay Sample

Introduction

In Harold Bloom's 'The Western Canon,' the relationship that exists between Canonicity and modernity is analyzed and stipulated. The Western Canon describes the classic works of music, literature, philosophy and artworks that are highly regarded especially in the Western countries. In his work, Bloom tends to extensively explore the Western literary Culture through keenly focusing on works done by twenty-six authors. Besides, he strongly opposes the ideologies presented in criticizing literal works. He supports his arguments through application of the elements of Marxism, feminism, Afro-centrism, multiculturalism, neo-conservatism and New Historicism (Aston). In an exemplary manner, Bloom brilliantly reanimates the controversial subject of Western Canon and presents excellent literary works to best support his ideology. He is keen to support his ideas at the time when the issue of literal extinction is on the rise, giving an upper hand to the learned world. To extensively and effectively dig into the matter of Canonicity and Modernity, Bloom divides the literature works into ages: Aristocratic, Theocratic, Chaotic and Democratic ages. All these ages tend to describe literal works of the most renowned Western authors and primarily centers his ideologies on William Shakespeare, the most celebrated author there has ever been. Therefore, through Bloom's writing, the articulation between modernity and Canonicity is eminent.

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The twentieth century has witnessed tremendous expansion and incorporation of the literary canon into modernism through gay and lesbian literature, women's writing, and colonial works of literature, to mention a few. Other non-literary works such as journals and children's writing have also enormously expanded. Moreover, literary canon from the Western nations has developed and grown into other countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Some of these writers have also either received awards or been nominated for great awards such as the Booker Prize (Aston). Through the establishment of the feminist movements that sparked during the 1960s, there has been a notable improvement in the literal world via the production of both fictitious and non-fictitious and women's writing. Besides, for a very long time, women's contribution to both historically and academically has been underestimated. But with the feminist movement, it has prompted the reevaluation of their achievements and general contributions.

Consequently, the formation of the civil rights movement in the US has spearheaded the inclusion of black authors not only in America but also in other places like France and Britain, to mention a few (Haferkamp and Neil). The elimination of racial discrimination between the black authors and the white authors extensively contributed to the rise of great literal works form the Black writers. Through awards granted to the writers in the Asian continent, it is eminent that the Western Literal canon has been expanded into these territories. Subsequently, Latin America has not been left out in the development of the Western literal Canon globally. With the above achievements and expansion of literal Canonicity, it is eminent that canon is conceptually inseparable from modernity in diverse ways and has exponentially made breakthroughs into current issues that continue to impact the world urgently seeking for channels to air their perceptions to the world (Aston). Indeed, the modern literal works act as mouthpieces to the rising issues.

Any form of literature is developed from creating several works in a particular language, the most preferably, writing that the author is well conversant with. Also, it is significantly essential that the language used can be well understood by the intended audience. The primary purpose of the language in the literal canon is that it acts as a vessel to convey expressions through the articulation of sounds. Through the constant reading of literal work of great authors who are renowned worldwide and abetting literal studies, it is eventual for an individual or audience to expand their knowledge, skills, and experiences. Therefore, the relationship between literary works canonically considered is contingent; they are dependent on each other (Haferkamp and Neil). The interpretation of literary works allures people into critical thinking. Through these works, it is clear to comprehend the meaningful relationship that exists between the author and their work.

Moreover, the works presented in this literal canon depicts the significance of rising matters whose impacts are felt to the roots in almost all parts of the world. Such issues include racism, social stratification, and gender issues, to mention a few. These works aim at critically and creatively analyzing the different points of view from the author's bibliography and the thematic critique. Moreover, a clear comprehension of the role of historical context and interpretation of lingual works under varied approaches. Harold Bloom presents his ideologies on what it really entails to be literary creative through his literary works (Stroe). Literary works bare a significant importance as legitimate creative works because, they are a source of inspiration to the rise of other greater writers than the predecessors. The primary purpose of the literary works and studies is to intrigue in the reader a sense of wanting to create what they read. With this, it is therefore possible to incorporate the popular types of literature because of vast ideologies from upcoming authors. Thus, in Bloom's arguments, he presents the essentiality of acknowledging great literature as the first step to creative works. Also, he lays claim on the fact that many writers source inspiration from each other hence achieving a legitimate level of creativity in their literal works.

Works Cited

Aston, Robert. "A Culture of Text: The Canon and The Common Core". Journal.Jctonline. Org, 2017, https://journal.jctonline.org/index.php/jct/article/view/585.

Haferkamp, Hans, and Neil J. Smelser. "Social Change and Modernity". Publishing.Cdlib. Org, 1992, https://publishing.cdlib.org/ucpressebooks/view?docId=ft6000078s;chunk.id=0;doc.view=print.

Stroe, Mihai. "Harold Bloom and The Brain-Wave Theory of Creativity". Addletonacademicpublishers.Com, 2009, https://addletonacademicpublishers.com/search-in-creativity/3440-harold-bloom-and-the-brain-wave-theory-of-creativity.