DSC 303. Leslie A. Fielder (1)

Leslie A. Fiedler (born March 8, 1917, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.—died January 29, 2003, Buffalo, New York) was an American literary critic who applied psychological (chiefly Freudian) and social theories to American literature.

Fiedler attended the University of Wisconsin (M.A., 1939; Ph.D., 1941), and, after service in the U.S. Naval Reserve from 1942 to 1946, he did further research at Harvard University. Thereafter he taught at many universities both in the United States and abroad, chiefly at the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Over the years, Fiedler propounded many ingenious but controversial theories. He gained considerable notoriety with his 1948 essay “Come Back to the Raft Ag’in, Huck Honey!,” later republished in An End to Innocence (1955), which raised issues of race and sexuality. His major work, Love and Death in the American Novel (1960), argues that much of American literature—those works, for example, that discuss life on the high seas or in the wilderness—embodies themes of innocent (presexual), but often homoerotic, male bonding and escape from a domestic, female-dominated society. This idea is further explored in Waiting for the End (1964) and The Return of the Vanishing American (1968). His later critical works include collections of essays, such as The Inadvertent Epic: From Uncle Tom’s Cabin to Roots (1979), Fiedler on the Roof: Essays on Literature and Jewish Identity (1990), and Tyranny of the Normal (1996), as well as the books The Stranger in Shakespeare (1972) and What Was Literature?: Class, Culture, and Mass Society (1982). He also wrote novels and collections of stories. Fiedler’s numerous honours include two Fulbright Fellowships (1951, 1962), a Guggenheim Fellowship (1970), and the Ivan Sandrof Award (1997) for lifetime achievement from the National Book Critics Circle.

In this essay, Fiedler argues that popular literature deserves a higher regard from those critics who, despite having never read a particular mass-market work, will automatically "ghettoize" it according to genre. Leslie Fiedler, in his essay "Towards a Definition of Popular Literature," explores the nature and significance of popular literature by examining its major genres. He focuses on sentimental, horror, and pornographic genres to illustrate how popular literature differs from high or canonical literature.

Sentimental Genre

Characteristics: The sentimental genre appeals to emotions, often evoking pity, sympathy, or nostalgia. It is characterized by melodramatic plots, idealized characters, and a focus on personal relationships and moral values.

Fiedler's View: Fiedler argues that sentimental literature is designed to elicit strong emotional responses from readers, making it accessible and relatable to a broad audience. He sees it as a way for readers to escape from reality and indulge in emotional experiences that may be lacking in their own lives.

Examples: Works like "Uncle Tom's Cabin" or romance novels are cited as examples of sentimental literature.

Horror Genre

Characteristics: The horror genre is defined by its intent to evoke fear, terror, or disgust. It often involves supernatural elements, monsters, or psychological suspense.

Fiedler's View: Fiedler suggests that horror literature taps into deep-seated anxieties and taboos, allowing readers to confront their fears in a safe, controlled environment. He notes that horror is often dismissed by critics but remains popular due to its primal appeal.

Examples: Gothic novels, ghost stories, and modern horror fiction like those by Stephen King exemplify this genre.

Pornographic Genre

Characteristics: The pornographic genre focuses on explicit sexual content, aiming to arouse rather than to tell a complex story or develop characters.

Fiedler's View: Fiedler sees pornography as a genre that fulfills desires and fantasies that are often repressed or unacknowledged in mainstream society. He argues that, like sentimental and horror genres, pornography serves a psychological function for its audience.

Examples: Erotic novels and explicit literature fall under this category.

Definition of Popular Literature:

Popular literature is written for the masses and is widely read and enjoyed by ordinary people, as opposed to elite literature, which is often appreciated by a smaller, more educated audience.

It is characterized by accessibility, entertainment value, and emotional appeal.

Changing Status:

Works considered popular in one era may become elite in another, and vice versa. For example, Shakespeare's plays were once popular entertainment but are now seen as high literature.

Themes and Forms:

Popular literature often deals with universal themes such as love, adventure, heroism, and the struggle between good and evil.

It uses familiar forms and genres like romance, detective fiction, science fiction, and fantasy.

Cultural Function:

Popular literature reflects the values, anxieties, and desires of the society that produces it. It serves as a means of escapism and provides a shared cultural experience.

Critique of Elitism:

Fiedler criticizes the tendency of literary critics to dismiss popular literature as inferior or unworthy of serious study.

He argues that popular literature deserves critical attention because of its influence and its role in shaping cultural identity.

Fiedler's Overall Analysis

Fiedler contends that popular literature, through these genres, addresses the emotional, psychological, and social needs of the masses.

He contrasts popular literature with "high" literature, which is often more concerned with form, style, and intellectual themes.

According to Fiedler, the enduring popularity of sentimental, horror, and pornographic genres demonstrates their importance in reflecting and shaping cultural values and desires.

Conclusion

Leslie Fiedler's analysis highlights how popular literature, through its sentimental, horror, and pornographic genres, serves as a mirror to society's collective emotions, fears, and fantasies. He argues for the recognition of popular literature's value and its role in the literary landscape. Fiedler concludes that the distinction between popular and elite literature is fluid and culturally constructed. He calls for a more inclusive approach to literary criticism that recognizes the value of popular literature alongside traditional literary works.

Leslie Fiedler: 'Towards a Definition of Popular Literature'

Summary and Key Points

Leslie Fiedler's essay "Towards a Definition of Popular Literature" explores the distinction between popular (or mass) literature and elite (or high) literature. Fiedler argues that the boundary between these two categories is not fixed but is shaped by cultural, social, and historical factors.