Sacrificing Commentary

Goodhart (English, comparative literature, Jewish studies, Whitman College) argues that writing designated as "literal" or "scriptural" is a form of commentary, analyzing Oedipus Tyrannus , Richard II , four passages from the Hebrew Torah, and a talk given by Yiddish poet and playwright Halpern Leivick. He suggests that criticism within a formal academic setting often acts out or repeats the structures and conflicts of its subject matter, and that literature is best understood as an interpretation of criticism. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.