E.L. Doctorow argued in the essay "Quick Cuts: The Novel Follows Film into a World of Fewer Words," that films can get by without all of the exposition and dialogue that is more essential to books, and that this trend is leading to the "delitera[tion]" of film. Thus, we are becoming a society that increasingly cannot express ourselves in language, and it's all movies' fault.
Discuss. Argue. Vent.
Have movies changed the way we read? Why (not)? How? Is this a good thing?
Can you think of a book or a film that shows an extreme example of the two beginnings Doctorow discusses, either the loooong exposition of setting and character or the sudden descent in medias res just after (or before) the title credits? Do certain genres work better with one opening rather than the other?
What is the most important element of the film, the visuals, the music, the dialogue, the plot, the characterization, etc.? Why?
Due Fri., 12/18
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I dont think that movies have changed how we read at all. People choose to read or not to read. Personally i would rather watch a movie than read a book any day. However; if movies didnt exist I think that i would still not read. I think the most important element of film is expression. Without it, things wouldnt be funny, sad, or serious.
ReplyDeleteWhile I agree with Doctorow that movies are leading to the decline of literature, I don't really think that they have changed the way we do read books. I guess that's because, with the difference in medium, movies try to attract & secure your attention to the visuals, because that is what you are engaged in the whole time (as Doctorow said), and this is why movies have super-dramatic openings, one coming to my mind right now is Star Wars.
ReplyDeleteThe opposite is true for books; they start out with an interesting suspense-grabber such as a murder scene such that you are sucked into reading the books.
So I suppose what I am saying is that yes, certain things work differently with books than movies, but because of the differences in mediums, they are not changing each other.
If film has changed the way we look at literature, it is only for those who don't respect both for their distinctive and powerful features. For the truly engaged or knowledgeable critic, comparing the two is almost irrelevant (unless the director of the film intended to do so) because each is an art form in its own universe. The movie Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas exemplifies the sudden descent of character mentioned by Doctorow, which most cinema (in my opinion) lends itself to naturally.
ReplyDeleteThe most important element of film, similar to that of meaningful literature, is the characterization. The description, emotions, feelings, situations, conflicts; even the routines of another human being are the most compelling incentives for a film audience. All other techniques in film in some way contribute to the dynamic characters it is able to create, and the connection created between this fictional character and the viewer is what really makes a movie stand out.
I think Doctorow noticed a trend that is indeed occuring, but I think he might be attributing it to the wrong thing. Just because movies became popular at the same time as "deliterated" books doesn't neccessarily mean that movies are the cause of this trend. Throughout the twentieth century, technological advancements like comercially available automobiles, telephones, and, eventually, the Internet, all drove culture towards a much faster pace than in the time of linguistic books. Movies and modern literature reflect that faster pace; if our real lives have become so radically different, why shouldn't our literary worlds become so markedly different, too? Books have not been "deliterated" by movies. Rather, both movies and books show the same signs of deliteration due to the changing dynamics of culture in the twentieth century.
ReplyDeletei agree with squirtle you either like to read or you don't, movies have no effect on literature. I personally don't like to read that much if i find something i like then i will read it, but im very picky.
ReplyDeleteMovies have changed from silent films to animated 3-D stuff. I think the most important thing in a movie is the characters and body language they are both very important. if the actors/actresses suck then i will probably not be too happy with the movie.
the most important think in a book is the dialogue. if that does not catch my attnetion within the first few minutes i will not read it.
Movies have not changed how we read. People who like to read will read. People who don't, won't. The most important part of film is visuals. People watch movies because they want to be able to see things.
ReplyDeleteMovies have not changed the way people read. The only thing movies have changed are the books themselves. If you really like a book and it is then made into a movie you might not like it as much because they probably changed some things. People like to watch movies to see the characters and have the visuals, which you can't see in a book.
ReplyDeletebooks and movies are completly different.for example, book are boring and movies are usually fun. I have yet to find a book that is better than the movie. both books and movies tell stories but movies do it better. they have visuals so that everyone is on the same page and you dont have to think about it as much. also watching someone jump around with pure joy is alot more intresting than reading "he was very happy". soundtracks are a very important part of movies because they set the mood of the scene. finally people say tv is the reason why america is getting over weight. well for all them edjumacated people out there, reading a book takes longer than watching a movie, and reading doesnt include any physical activity either. if everyone just read we would be even more overweight.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Christine. Movies havent changed the way people read. I agree with her other statement about liking the book and then seeing a movie and things are different between each of them. When the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants first came out i saw the movie, and then i read the book for a school project and they were different. And personally id rather watch a movie than read a book, because reading a book is ten times more boring than watching a movie.
ReplyDeleteI agree that movies are leading to a decline in reading: our society is getting too lazy to invest the extra hours into reading a book when you can get the basic gist of the story in 2 hours from a movie.
ReplyDeleteFrankly, it's sad how many people don't like to read. Most of the time, they don't like it becasue "its boring". The real problem is that they lack the ability to visualize and imagine the scenes in a book. And this is becasue they watch too many movies which give a specific picture to go along with the words.
In my experience, the book is almost always better than the movie. The stories are more in depth, the characters more interesting, and the setting more amazing because you aren't limited to the real world. In literature, anything is possible.
True, some books are boring and the movie versions can still be good, but this is usually becasue the the movie has greatly changed the storyline.
I guess what I'm really trying to say, is that if you like to read, you read. And if you don't, you don't. And, frankly, if you're in the second category you are missing out on A LOT
i really dont know if movies have changed how people read because i dont read at all. i cant imagine that just cause a movie a person would read any different or interpret a book any differently. i completely disagree with what the writer said above! this is the 21st century of course people are gonna wanna use modern technology and watch movies. its a lot better and more exciting to see the scenes play out right in front of u instead of having try and imagine it and not even knowing if ur ing the full effect or your imagining it the right way. pretty much books suck and movies are well better then books but not all that great. i say go outside and do something exciting and fun and actually worth doing.
ReplyDeletei don't think that there is one element in film that is more important then any other, i think that they all work with each other and all come together to create something great.
I think that movies have slightly changed the way that we read. Instead of coming up with our own imagery, we might picture an actor that we are familiar with as the character.
ReplyDeleteSome older books that I've read have had an extensive introduction, particularly if it is the beginning of series. I have read my fair share of novels that jump right in though, and enjoy both. I think action movies/novels and mysteries are more conducive to jumping in in the middle. Some other genres play off a familiarity of the audience with the characters, one that can only come with a longer introduction.
Different genres of movies find certain elements more important than others, but I think that across the board the music is the most important element of a film. It determines the way that the audience interprets a scene, and often creates the mood for a movie.
movie change the way we read a little bit. sometimes when i read i'll picture the character like someone i've seen in a moivie or i'll picture the setting of the book as a setting in a movie. and especially if you watch the movie before the book you already have everything planned out in your head
ReplyDeleteWe used to express ourselves in cave paintings, then art, the literature, and now movies and music. Its just another phase. Why do we need to fluff literature up so much anyway? Its worthless.
ReplyDeleteThe most important part of film is probably The peoples expressions. Its tough to describe things like that in literature. And it needs to be done by real people. not Computer generated people. So not Avatar. nope.
I consider movies and literature to be separate entities. People that truly enjoy reading aren't affected in the way they read by watching movies and the best current literature is still very detailed and the vocabulary used can still be higher level. In my opinion people that don't like to read weren't going to read anyway and movies had nothing to do with it.
ReplyDeleteI would say that the most important aspect of film would be the visuals for two reasons. A movie without visuals would suck. Also movies aren't really able to leave anything to the imagination like books can so the visuals really have to draw things out for you.
Also I love reading, and A's.
Well movies and books have never gone together very well. Just about every time some director trys to make a movie out of a book, it is almost always horrible comparativley. Mnay people still enjoy the movies and books, but usually if you ask anyone who has read the book they say the book was so much better.
ReplyDeleteNow in our society movies are now replacing books. People are saying "Oh, I'll just see the movie when it comes out". In my opinion that isn't good, because reading is a very valuable activity, although I shouldn't be one to talk because I hate reading books, especially when im forced in school, on my own I will occasionally read, but not very often.
The Inheritance series, which I have read, has alos been created into a movie, at least the first book was, well comparativley it was horid. Just another example.
Movies are a whole in my opinion. Every aspect has to fit well together, if the acting is cheesey, and the plot and dialogue prodictable it isn't worth watching. It all depends on the genere also.
I think that movies dont change the way we read. I think that sometimes you dont like how one turns of differently then the other but i dont think it changes how we read. I personally hate reading so i just go see the movie.
ReplyDeleteI think more the movies change the fact that very few people read anymore. One is the news is on so we dont have to read the paper to find out what is happening in our world. Also People see commercials for a movie and say " i was about to read that but now i'll just go see the movie" I dont think it is a big deal if people would rather see a movie then read. Seeing a movie gets things done faster and not everyone has time to read.
ReplyDeletei dont tink movies change the fact that we read. I notice if you read the book and then see the movie you usually get upset with the movie not including stuff. But i usually just see movies cause i never have time to read. But i wish i read more casue it so much fun.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe film has changed the way we see literature, but that it has created a generation of ignorant people to literature. Literature is one of the greatest and powerful things we create and films are just an extension of those thoughts brought to life.
ReplyDeleteThe problem is a movie cannot depict the detail that a book can because it costs so much more so it's up to the director to choose the key elements and parts, which eventually greatly upsets the viewer who most likely read the book avidly.