Customer Reviews

The Nobel Lecture In Literature, 1993

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Toni Morrison delivered a fine lecture upon her acceptance of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1993. The lecture is dominated by a central parable: about an elderly African-American woman sage who is questioned by some young people.

This parable is a bit overdone, and I found it less than convincing by the end of the text. But the lecture as a whole is thought provoking and even inspiring. Morrison's language is elegant and powerful, and she shares important insights. Especially important, in my opinion, are her cautionary words about the potential use of language as an oppressive force. Overall, I find Morrison's Nobel Lecture to be a fascinating component of her larger body of work.

Morrison delivers the line that gets drawn in the sand. She asks us to pick a side. A side for language to live with us, or die with us. Some of the most inspirational words i have ever read.

Toni Morrison is an awesome writer and truly deserves this prize not just for "Beloved", but for this wonderfully written speech. She is one of the best writers of today.

Morrison as usual takes us to a place...she writes a fictious story, but it is true in all form. She encourages us to look at language. Morrison is brillant and her use of descriptive, vibrant, language not only tells us a story about language...but, has many underlining meanings. I think the old, blind, woman is Morrison writes about is...herself.

This Nobel acceptance speech is not only a masterful message about language, integrity, courage, and literature, it also happens to be one of the most powerful statements I've encountered about what it means to be a good teacher. Every educator should read this.

Ms. Morrison sees herself as God's gift to literature! Perhaps God has better taste. Modesty is not in evidence here as the author presents herself as the lone savior of American arts. Nobel committee: why?