U8 Focus Questions Flashcards
How did authorship change with the rise of capitalism and the expansion of print in the 19thC?
Before this time, authors were not really recognized for their work and much of the money made from their books was given to patrons and publishers/sellers. Once capitalism and industrialization hit in 19th century, authorship became a full profession because books were being mass produced and spread worldwide
What is authorship in the 21stC?
Authors still get a percentage of the profit, as started in the 19th century, but with the digital ago coming through, it may be a harder fight for copyright as it was in the past
How is copyright or literary property important to authorship and reading?
These laws give authors the exclusive right to control how their works are used, distributed, and reproduced. As a result, copyright laws allow authors to protect their intellectual property, including their ideas, stories, and characters.
This protects the integrity of the work and allows readers to trust that they are getting the true and intended experience of the author’s work. Additionally, copyright protects the author’s financial interests by enabling them to earn income from their creations.
What do Finkelstein and McCleery mean when they note that book historians have begun to pay attention to “the mediating effects of literary networks in negotiating textual value”? How does the example of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s literary career help to illustrate their point?
Finkelstein and McCleery are referring to the increasing understanding among book historians that the value of a textual work is not solely related to its inherent qualities, but is also influenced by the connections and relationships between authors, publishers, editors, and readers. In other words, literary networks can play a powerful role in shaping the reception and evaluation of a text.
During his lifetime, Hawthorne wrote a variety of works that received mixed critical and commercial success. However, after his death, his reputation began to soar, in large part due to his association with other writers and editors who elevated his name and works. By cultivating these literary connections, Hawthorne’s works were able to be reevaluated and appreciated in a new light.
Overall, Finkelstein and McCleery argue that literary networks have a significant impact on the way we understand and appreciate texts, and that scholars should pay more attention to the role of these networks in shaping literary value.
Can you suggest more recent examples of the mediating effects of literary networks?
The rise of book clubs and online reading communities which allow readers to connect with one another and discuss books. Social media and the internet, which have made it easier for writers to connect with publishers and readers, and for readers to discover and share new books. The growth of literary prizes and awards, such as the Pulitzer Prize, which can help to elevate the profiles of writers and their works. The continued importance of literary agents in the publishing industry, who serve as intermediaries between writers and publishers and help to shape the literary landscape.
All of these contribute to how they mediate the production, distribution, and consumption of lit today
