Comments about ‘Patriarchs among the poets: Harold Bloom's case for the Bible as high literature’

When I a freshman in college, all too long ago in the 60s, in introductory literature, we were taught that The Holy Bible was one of the great books of literature. The professor was something of a Harold Bloom too, and I certainly appreciated his views on the Bible.

I agree with Mr. Bloom's thoughts on the deterioration of literature. Some of the books that are required reading in schools today, especially high school, are nothing more than depressing garbage. His book, The Death of Common Sense, would be better required reading.

I am glad that most of my years of teaching were in a private school where we studied various parts of both the Old and New Testaments.

I'm sure part of the reason that liberal arts have declined is that fewer people see any value to them. Much of the reason they have less value is that they study "garbage based on ethnicity, skin pigmentation, sexual orientation, politics rather than shear cognitive and aesthetic value".

I am buying his book. I love the KJV.

I enjoy reading a collection of short stories of fiction as well.

"I've warned them that if one studies garbage based on ethnicity, skin pigmentation, sexual orientation, politics rather than shear cognitive and aesthetic value you destroy the subject and today they have indeed destroyed the subject. All over the world now people don't want to study literature because of it."

Love that quote! How very true. Fascinating article.

Always interesting to hear comments from other people about Mormons.

Very few people these days are interested in pursuing an education. Rather society sees universities as places to go for job training. There's a huge difference in vision between the two approaches, and Harold Bloom is clinging to the higher, more noble one.

A brilliant man who has been willing to study Mormonism with an open mind and to appreciate the "genius" within it.

paganette:
somehow i believe you when you say reading short stories. cut and paste works best that way

'Always interesting to hear comments from other people about Mormons.' - EducateMe | 10:26 a.m. Sept. 23, 2011

I would reply...

*'President Obama's purported 'weird'-Mormon strategy against Mitt Romney will backfire, pundits say' - By Hal Boyd, Deseret News - 08/10/11

*'Michele Bachmann's pastor on Mormonism' - By Jamshid Ghazi Askar - DSNews - 09/06/11

that people don't even need to SAY anything about Mormons...

for some of them, to work to take offense.

Bloom constantly offends and provokes me, and I love him for it. He is a great read.

"I enjoy reading a collection of short stories of fiction as well."

Pagan:

Your contributions have a certain unmatched quality. Always so insightful and uplifting.

I love articles like this, makes me want to go home and read a great book.

For more of Bloom's thoughts on Mormons, read his, "The American Religion: The Emergence of The Post-Christian Nation." It is really fascinating.

Bloom says: "Joseph Smith was a religious genius" that he "hovers in me." This comming from a man that has studied deeply the ideas that fell from the lips of this common farm boy from New York; only to find the great substance and thoughts from the original Mormon. I applaud Bloom for his humility to see a modern day prophet in Joseph Smith. Yes, you would have gotten along swimmingly with the boy prophet.

If Naomi Wolf is correct, then we may assume Bloom has Joseph Smith "hovering in him" because both had unusual perspectives on women.

It is evidence that Bloom's lament over the loss of literary excellence is supported by the fact that so many consider Bloom's opinions about Mormonism to be a compliment.

I appreciate the reporting of Bloom's comments, especially with regard to Joseph Smith, because of the shear number of unique, Biblically backed teachings of Joseph Smith, teachings which many just get angry about. Joseph Smith would have to have been a genius to have established such a phenomenal movement as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is today, with over 14 million adherents worldwide and growing. But I disagree. He was not a genius. He was just a chosen vessel through whom the Savior Jesus Christ could re-establish His church again upon the earth.

@ Pagan,

The fact that you just called the Bible fiction and ignoring overwhelming evidence that the writings are true in fact shows that your mind is closed.

You need to read any of the true classics to open that head of yours and allow something to pour in besides anti-religion, bigotry, etc.

Some folks minds are so closed that truth could stare them dead in the face and it would not matter because they see only what they want to see.

Please feel free to send quotes of recent biased media about how I am wrong. :)

'@ Pagan,

The fact that you just called the Bible fiction and ignoring overwhelming evidence that the writings are true in fact shows that your mind is closed.' - Millsap fan | 3:33 p.m. Sept. 23, 2011

And what 'overwhelming evidence' is that?

*Creation theory may be wrong; collider hasnt found God Particle By Michael De Groote DSNews 09/01/2011

You believe. That is great.

I enjoy a good book, as well.

And that 'biased media' is the DSNews.

Owned by, the LDS church.

Still waiting for God's followers, to prove he is even real.

Or that part of my responsiblity as a 'anti-religion bigotry.'

Of the two, who has called whom a...

bigot?

Mr. Boyd,
Thank you for the insightful article on such a wise and revered literary critic. This was excellent writing, witty, fascinating, exciting.