Most recent public comments by Thomas Seubert https://nowcomment.com/users/10966 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25273?scroll_to=291277 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25273?scroll_to=291277 It shows that the biographer is capable of handling subjects with a variety of backgrounds. While all of them are writers, in some form or another, each of their situations are vastly different. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 08:46:06 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25273?scroll_to=291275 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25273?scroll_to=291275 The second paragraph explains how this biographer further details the relationship described in the first paragraph, which serves as a way into the review. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 08:46:06 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25273?scroll_to=291107 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25273?scroll_to=291107 The other biographies illustrate an experience and the biographer's personal interest in investigating couples. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 08:46:06 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25273?scroll_to=291106 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25273?scroll_to=291106 Eleanor pushed FDR to pursue a career in politics, something other familial influences didn't support. Mon, 27 Oct 2014 22:10:52 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25273?scroll_to=291104 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25273?scroll_to=291104 The lede interestingly points out that this power couple's symbiotic relationship was/is something well-known. It also says that some less noble details about there relationship aren't really surprising either. The play on words here, though maybe not intended, is interesting. Intricacies of relationships and extramarital affairs were never reported on. They weren't "news," at least until Gary Hart. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 08:46:06 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25272?scroll_to=290511 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25272?scroll_to=290511 Not necessarily. But that's why it should only "help" in gauging the accuracy. People's perception of themselves is often warped. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 08:46:05 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25272?scroll_to=290231 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25272?scroll_to=290231 This paragraph shows the importance of some information, but validates that new information isn't always a good thing. The job of the biography is to shed light on the subject not necessarily uncover new information. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 08:46:04 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25272?scroll_to=290230 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25272?scroll_to=290230 For one, this scene is already accounted for in Guralnick's biography so there is a certain credibility to the account, even if people don't trust Carlin's reporting. The single source, though usually a negative, allows the biographer to give the scene rich detail and the perspective of someone who knows what they are talking about. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 08:46:05 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25272?scroll_to=290227 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25272?scroll_to=290227 Getting the subject's reaction helps gauge the accuracy of the biography. Though their view is clearly biased, it still is a viewpoint that should be listened to. On another note, this paragraph does a good job at getting right to the main discussion surrounding the biography. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 08:46:04 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25205?scroll_to=287461 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25205?scroll_to=287461 He supported younger writers and new movements in writing, but his support for change did not extend to new means of disseminating their works. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 08:46:01 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25205?scroll_to=287460 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25205?scroll_to=287460 Lost could also refer to their place in history. This generation came into existence between two wars, during the Depression. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 08:46:01 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25205?scroll_to=287361 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25205?scroll_to=287361 Cowley is described as someone who enjoyed things "the way they were." In a sense, he resisted change in the publishing world. The diction of this paragraph paints a clearer picture of Cowley, "the periods through which he passed." He seems like a traveler through literary movements and historical settings. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 08:46:00 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25205?scroll_to=287360 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25205?scroll_to=287360 This sentence makes a transition from background information into a short critique of what the biography does. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 08:46:00 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25205?scroll_to=287359 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25205?scroll_to=287359 A very nice contextualization of a historical event that relates to the biographer. This demonstrates the reviewer's authority. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 08:46:00 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25205?scroll_to=287358 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25205?scroll_to=287358 The lost generation were lost in a variety of ways. They lacked the moral ground of previous generations--though this is often the story--had little economic footing and seemed to a group headed aimlessly into the future. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 08:46:06 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25204?scroll_to=284503 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25204?scroll_to=284503 As important as it is to contextualize the life of someone, biography cannot slice-and-dice a person into neat categories. A person's life is far more complex than that. Hence, this is a risky way to go about writing a biography. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 08:45:56 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25204?scroll_to=283747 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25204?scroll_to=283747 The reviewer cites oversimplification as an issue with the biography. Part of the issue here is the biographer imposes herself on her subject. While in some cases this may be understandable, what is the real purpose here? Sat, 20 Feb 2016 08:45:56 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25204?scroll_to=283746 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25204?scroll_to=283746 The biography unpacks aspects of Hellman and contextualizes them--a risky way of writing a biography. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 08:45:56 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25204?scroll_to=283745 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25204?scroll_to=283745 Writing about Hellman seems to be a tough job. She wanted to control what others thought about her, so she made it difficult for "unsanctioned" biographers to inquire about her affairs, thinking they may highlight an unsavory area of her life. By destroying documents and trying to keep things private, Hellman challenged biographers to be able to write about her. "Always the challenger" also is a nice way of sticking to the theme of Hellman's loud, dramatic personality. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 08:45:56 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25204?scroll_to=283742 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25204?scroll_to=283742 I think this quote does a nice job encapsulating what the writer spends the paragraph explaining. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 08:46:01 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25200?scroll_to=281910 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25200?scroll_to=281910 The details included in the biography should allow readers to make there own critiques. If the biography has a view point that is plausible, this should be apparent to readers without soapboxing. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 08:45:54 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25200?scroll_to=281909 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25200?scroll_to=281909 If the biography doesn't discover something, then what's the point? At the very least, it should look at a life in a different light than previous biographies. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 08:45:54 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25200?scroll_to=280619 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25200?scroll_to=280619 This is when a writer justifies the inclusion of a phrase, sentence or passage that has no real value other than its prettiness. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 08:45:53 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25200?scroll_to=280618 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25200?scroll_to=280618 A second biographer should explore the avenues not previously mentioned. This isn't riding the first biographer's coattails as much as it is conducting further research. If Begley didn't make mention of the dates of Updike's romantic interests, then maybe the next biographer should explore how these interests specifically affected his work. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 08:45:53 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25200?scroll_to=280614 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25200?scroll_to=280614 Literary critics focus on the telling of a story. While biographers tell a story, it is very important to include detailed information like dates and times. In fiction, this typically weighs down a plot, but in biography it illuminates a subject's life and influences. Literary critics don't all seem to understand the difference. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 08:45:53 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25200?scroll_to=280612 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25200?scroll_to=280612 The role of biographer is to uncover something about a subject that was previously unknown. The purpose should be to inform and shed light on a subject's life. In the case of first biographers, it is hard to uncover everything or explore every avenue of a subject's life. It's difficult to blaze a trail. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 08:45:53 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25199?scroll_to=275623 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25199?scroll_to=275623 This characterization illustrates an affinity between the writing styles of the biographer and Plath. Both believe in getting to the point while presenting a strong viewpoint. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 08:45:51 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25199?scroll_to=275610 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25199?scroll_to=275610 This is an important distinction for a reviewer to make. It gives context to the work and demonstrates authority. Moreover, it differentiates the biography from other biographies. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 08:45:51 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25199?scroll_to=275609 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25199?scroll_to=275609 Considering a dialogue that we had for the last assignment, I find the characterization of this biography as "judicious" interesting. While this may refer to writing style, it is strange for biographers to be called "judicious" and have it be in a positive light. It is not a biographer's job to impose him or herself on subject matter. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 08:46:11 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25198?scroll_to=269867 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25198?scroll_to=269867 No matter the subject of the biographer, readers should be allowed to form their own opinions. It is the job of the biographer to report, not to criticize. Criticizing a subject of a biography is just as bad as taking advantage of a source. The investigative and reporting process should not be obtrusive. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 08:45:45 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25198?scroll_to=269427 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25198?scroll_to=269427 This description deconstructs Assia. She seems like an object of affection, not necessarily a person. This is especially interesting since the next paragraph immediately starts talking about her emotions. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 08:45:44 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25198?scroll_to=269423 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25198?scroll_to=269423 This quote does a nice job of setting up points that are made later on in the review. It foreshadows and already paves the way for the femme fatale comment. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 08:45:44 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25198?scroll_to=269422 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25198?scroll_to=269422 The purpose of a biography isn't to make judgements. It is supposed to inform readers. Let the readers make judgements for themselves. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 08:45:44 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25186?scroll_to=261577 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25186?scroll_to=261577 Without changing any other writing dramatically, no. But using the collection of photographs as an introduction to the review could have been another possibility. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 08:45:39 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25186?scroll_to=261572 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25186?scroll_to=261572 Greek tragedy was an early form of drama. It creates situations that inspire fear and compassion but makes the experience enjoyable for audiences. Likewise, in As I Lay Dying (the only Faulkner I've read), Faulkner employs a stream of consciousness narrative to explain the successive events following the death of a matriarch. He explores themes of death and the purpose of life--not exactly light reading. Faulkner makes his story enticing by keeping readers guessing as to what is actually happening. None of the many narratives are reliable. Readers must play detective and figure out what is actually happening and why Faulkner is doing it. Hence, the appropriate "Greek tragedy into detective fiction" comparison. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 08:45:39 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25186?scroll_to=259691 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25186?scroll_to=259691 The reviewer makes mention of the photographs. Though individual photos aren't discussed, it is important that readers know this is an additional facet to the biography. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 08:45:39 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25186?scroll_to=259690 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25186?scroll_to=259690 Where Greek tragedy may be viewed by some as distant, dealing with motifs and themes in a historic setting, Faulkner engages readers by appealing to their "guts." Readers want to know why something is happening, but motifs explored in Greek tragedy play out in Faulkner's works. The last sentence summarizes this idea, which is illustrated in the rest of the paragraph. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 08:45:39 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25186?scroll_to=259689 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25186?scroll_to=259689 The quotation justifies the opening question made by the reviewer and the endeavors of a "Faulknerian biographer," presenting the importance and magnitude of Faulkner's work. Moreover, the block quote entices readers. What will the reviewer have to say about a biography attempting to capture such an individualistic author? Tue, 22 Dec 2015 14:41:48 -0500