|
Everything's been done before.
When evaluating the seriousness of art, good criticism asks where does the work fit within the context in which it was created. (I'm not just pulling this out of my a__, this is really how it is done.)
Is the work prescient, does it have parallels in contemporary life, is in concert with current societal dynamics or trends in the media?
The more times you answer yes to these questions, the more the story bears significance. In this light, the Hunger Games is a considerably more serious work than Harry Potter or Twilight.
And Jim, I was speaking more to the seriousness than the popularity. Everyone is aware of the fixation on vampires and I didn't miss the Harry Potter series either, I have a 12-year old.
|