Ever since the inception of the first copyright laws, a constant debate has existed: the balance between artist's rights and the freedom of the public to utilize copyrighted works. Once a copyright expires, anyone may use it in any way they see fit. This enables publishing companies to reprint copies of some of histories greatest literary works and sell them at a price accessible to all of us (i.e. Barnes and Noble "Classics," which traditionally retail for $5-$7).
However, works in the public domain are also subject to reinterpretation and reinvention...sometimes to the detriment of the author's original intent. A perfect example of this, I believe, exists now in the form of Seth Grahame-Smith's "reinterpretation" of classic works such as Wurthering Heights and Pride and Prejudice, to which he's added certain "trendy" elements to help make the books more appealing to the fickle youth. Call me old-fashioned, but I have an issue with zombies hanging out around Mr. Darcy's house. While I'll admit I'm a stickler for the classics and their prose, I would almost stretch my opinion to include a "modern" interpretation of the language or even an abridged version. However, I just can't embrace the idea that the youth of America is so shallow and brain-dead (excuse the pun... get it? Zombies? Nevermind.) that they need ZOMBIES in Pride and Prejudice to understand its artistic contribution to the literary world. I truly am of the opinion Mr. Graham-Smith's "interpretation" of these works is only to the detriment of their artistic value and to the youth that reads them.
Thoughts?
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2 comments:
Indeed, I WILL call you fickle! Undead hordes improve just about anything. And I would argue that Pride & Prejudice could have done with some time-traveling cybernetic organisms too. Both of the Dalek and T-1000 variety.
Joking aside, why can't this new work stand on its own- not as the only way one appreciates the classic novel, but as a new satirical way of appreciating a classic that one has already read?
Counterpoint: NOM NOM NOM NOM NOM!
Steven,
Your point is well taken. My concern is not its satirical nature, which may be enjoyed by folks familiar with Austen's original work (although they tend to be die hard fans and may not embrace it... TBD). My concern lies with students/younger persons who may experience Austen for the first TIME via these books. I'm not sure they'll be able to appreciate either the original work on the satire.
However, I do agree that zombies, in general, tend to make everything more bad ass.
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