Yellow Fruit
Emma and Rian were last night, rather vaguely, discussing obscenity.
As in, what makes something obscene? What IS obscenity? Can the definition be pinned down, or is it entirely subjective?
We were referring to literature, yes? But the puzzle applies to any part of life. What Rian finds obscene bob* may not. What the President finds obscene, Rian may not.
What, in Rian's world, is obscene? Murder. Torture. Excess. Waste. Purposeful dishonesty.
Not, however: Self mutilation. Mockery. Harmless sexual proclivities. Or even the oddest of odd Art.
As for literature, Rian cannot, off the top of my head, put down my finger on any work I have read that I consider obscene. But. Then. Rian vets my reading material rather carefully.
*bob's weekly mention
As in, what makes something obscene? What IS obscenity? Can the definition be pinned down, or is it entirely subjective?
We were referring to literature, yes? But the puzzle applies to any part of life. What Rian finds obscene bob* may not. What the President finds obscene, Rian may not.
What, in Rian's world, is obscene? Murder. Torture. Excess. Waste. Purposeful dishonesty.
Not, however: Self mutilation. Mockery. Harmless sexual proclivities. Or even the oddest of odd Art.
As for literature, Rian cannot, off the top of my head, put down my finger on any work I have read that I consider obscene. But. Then. Rian vets my reading material rather carefully.
*bob's weekly mention
posted by La Tulipe | 8:41 AM
9 Comments:
I think it has to be subjective. There will always be a difference in perceptions of obscenity between different people.
Because I think an obscenity is something which you not only identify as bad, but which you simply cannot imagine yourself doing - you cannot see the purpose of it or the reson for it. I think, once you start seeing either of those, it stops being obscene. Even though you may still hate it. Can something you can identify with be obscene?
I should have taken you lot to my Fiction class...
It is very, very interesting to write about the obscene. If only to see if one can create shock value... I'm enjoying it so far.
And hurrah to my first mention on Rian's blog. *grin*
*preens*
Does Em want to take Rian and skit to her class because she feels they have a lot to learn or a lot to teach?
Anyone else thinking "small off-duty Czechoslavakian traffic warden"? No...?
This girl on my really-brilliant-thrilling-amazing-stupendous-killmenow roadtrip thinks the word "shag" is obscene whereas I think it is amusing. Who doesn't raise a smile at the phrase "shagging like bunnies"?
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
I deleted that because I left out a rather crucial word.
But anyway... Anya. :)
Put me out of my misery and tell me where the small off-duty Czechoslovakian traffic warden came from, please...
My mother finds different swear words from me obscene. One that I use as quite mild she finds extremely vulgar - because of its meaning which I didn't even know until she told me - but she's happier using the f-word than I am.
*feels all prissy for using a euphemism for a swear word in a discussion on obscenity*
Oh, yes. That is true. There are certain swear words Rian finds absolutely obscene, and others that Rian does not.
Although. I wonder if it has more to do with usage. Those we hear more often feel less obscene?
Aha, now comes the discussion on words... My friend Lisa (who is perhaps the foulest creature I've ever had the pleasure to know - Jes and Q can testify) is a firm believer that the 'c word' is perfectly acceptable, due to the outrageous usage of its male counterpart. Fair enough, I say... But I wouldn't want my Grandmother to hear me say it...
I used to hate the c-word. The sound of it always struck me as unpleasant. Now I hear it so often that I rarely notice it.
I do feel, also, that I'm qualified to use it if I so choose.
I agree with Lisa's reasoning. The C word shouldn't have that stigma attacted to it, but still, I can't say it in public. It makes me feel crude and dirty. Although I have no problem at all with its usage on TSSH. Totally appropriate.
No other swear word makes me so uncomfortable.
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