Thomas Wolfe - What did he say that offended Ashevillians

[carolinadawg2]

Originally Posted by CraigCreek

You seem to have already made your own judgment of Thomas Wolfe, even though you admittedly haven't read his works (or even "Look Homeward, Angel") in their entirety and are not familiar with the time and place in which he spent his formative years. Have you read Wolfe's letters, particularly his correspondence with his editors, about his experiences in pre-war Germany? Have you read any of the scholarly biographies of Thomas Wolfe?

If you read nothing else, please find and read Wolfe's realistic short story, "I Have a Thing to Tell You", which was written because of his very serious concern about the situation he witnessed in Germany during his visit in 1936. Wolfe used his creative genius and his experience in Nazi Germany to draw more public attention to that situation, which he deplored and condemned. In more contemporary terms, he wrote the story to help raise awareness, which it did admirably.

Wolfe may have been a genius, but he certainly wasn't evil. Weak on occasion, sometimes prone to poor judgment, sometimes self-indulgent and selfish - but also brilliant, highly productive, creative, poetic, lyrical and literally a giant among men.

You appear to have difficulty comprehending the difference between realistic autobiographical fiction and non-fiction. They are not the same. Wolfe's statement in his intro, to LH, A Is self-protective, certainly - but the book is a novel - fiction - strongly influenced by the author's life, not an autobiography.

A work of literature should be judged as a product of its time and of the author's imagination, and it is important that readers recognize that fictional characters who express what are now considered bigoted views are not necessarily voicing the opinions of the author. Not every fictional character is going to be portrayed as being a paragon of insight, tolerance, and understanding. If they all were such angelic creatures, novels would be very dull indeed.

"Evil genius", indeed. The very notion is laughable to those more familiar with Wolfe's life and work.

Way too harsh, considering the totality of what the OP wrote. He/she hasn't made any judgments, just asked some questions about the book's reception in Asheville at the time it was published.

[McWallace]

Originally Posted by carolinadawg2

Way too harsh, considering the totality of what the OP wrote. He/she hasn't made any judgments, just asked some questions about the book's reception in Asheville at the time it was published.

What's more, CraigCheek seems to be too concerned with what aspects of the book are fiction vs. inspired by fact. This completely misses the point.

If it is known that some Asheville residents felt offended by parts of the book that seemed "too close to home", it is then a historic fact in and of itself that can be discussed -- it is completely inconsequential whether Wolfe intended for them to be offended, knew they would be, or even cared that they were.

I don't know why this thread bothers CraigCheek so badly. If he is president of the Thomas Wolfe Fan Club (tm), he should be grateful that a thread like this provokes publicity and interest in the author. If anyone would come out looking less favorable it would be the particular residents of Asheville at the time that let their ego prevent them from appreciating a literary figure that would later be a part of their town's history.

[McWallace]

"Thomas Wolfe immortalized his brother by making him the basis for the character Ben Gant, and in 'Look Homeward Angel', Wolfe described Ben Gant's final moments:"

Today in Asheville history: Wolfe