Purists?

[gabbydwg]

I find that I am coming to really dislike the word purist.

It's not that I necessarily dislike so-called purists, either. Actually, I think it has more to do with the fact that I used to call myself a purist, around the time that one Mansfield Park movie came out.

The thing is, I like faithfulness to the books. I really do. It's just that when people try to apply the concept of "purism" to fanfiction that I get a little twitchy.

What does it mean, anyway? Usually, what someone means when they say "I guess I'm just too much of a purist," is that they really think theirs is the right view, but who are they to flout popular opinion? It's a passive-aggressive way of saying "I'm right, you're wrong, but I'm going to humor you. But I'm still right. Nanny nanny poo poo."

I guess what I'm trying to say, is that it's one thing to be faithful to the book when you're doing a retelling, like a movie or a play, or whatever. But fanfiction is a whole different kettle of fish. The very point of fanfiction is to stray from the text, in whatever way we like. To explore this possibility or that plot hole. To poke fun, when it's merited. The people who want nothing but retellings in this way or that way are really missing the point of it all. I'd feel sorry for them, if they didn't aggravate me so much.

In conclusion: people who say "I guess I'm just too much of a purist" probably aren't really that big on purism as long as the changes made don't mess with their own sacred cows. "Anything goes..... except that" seems to be the prevailing attitude. And it's that hypocrisy that's the really annoying part.

Comments

[lise-lise.livejournal.com]

It somehow hits them in the core of their own being if Darcy marries another, or if Lizzy settles for second best. I wonder what would happen if Lizzy married Darcy's superior for once.

[greenislove.livejournal.com]

I really don't understand how they can be so emotionally attached to the couple in that way, though -- none of them would blink if the character names were changed. But most of the time, the names are the only thing linking them to the original. So what's the difference, really?

Argh, the lack of logic, it hurts.