The Problem with Theory

[Asa Faylo]

Gerald Graff seems to ignore much of what Barbara Christian claims needs to be included in the Western literary canon, the writings of creative writers, women, women of color, people of color, and not the “neutral humanists.” Gerald Graff’s idea to include more student opinions and involvement in the discussion of theory and which theory or literature classes is an interesting one and yet may not be cohesive with Barbara Christians hope to involve “minority” literature. It is likely that those who participate in the literature departments, students and faculty, will already have a certain interest or background tied into previous canonical writings and theory. So having students who may be ignorant of the writers and authors Christian defends voice for readings that don’t fall into her suggested category may simply exacerbate the problem. Though, to encourage coherence, while not having consensus is a good way to keep a department in constant self-checking. This may fall into something similar to post-structuralist theory in that by allowing discussion means that the there is not an absolute theory or way to examine and read literature.

 That said, Barbara Christian seems to fall within her own canon by referring popular, or supposedly popular, “minority” authors such as Toni Morrison and Alice Walker. While this may to appear to diverge from the hegemonic white male dominance in the western canon, it is polarizing and oversimplified to reference only people of color. In this way Christian uses a necessary paradox that in order to change, add, and diversify the western canon one must imitate those in literary power so as to be recognized on such an “eloquence.” Now hopefully the cultural and literary complexity will broaden in the near future with writers, authors, and theorist who are not simply, white, black, colored, male, or female beginning to add with their own varied ways of naval gazing.