Reagan-Era Necrophilism

While doing some research for a paper I’m writing about Robert Browning’s Porphyria’s Lover, I stumble upon what seems to be GOLD! While aimlessly wandering through JSTOR I find an essay that seems to make a connection between Porphyria’s Lover and David Lynch’s television series Twin Peaks. Relevant to my paper? Absolutely not. Mind blowingly interesting? HELL YES! But alas, much to my chagrin, the essay turns out to be so skewed and wrought full of paper-thin conclusions that I turn away in disgust.

According to the critic, mostly men have praised Twin Peaks.

 Hmmm…problematic seeing as I am an avid fan of both Browning’s poetry and David Lynch’s work and I am indeed a woman.

Also, according to the critic, Robert Browning and David Lynch strongly encourage incest and necrophilia at the expense of the safety of young women.

Hmmm…do I find necrophilia sexually stimulating? No….But yet I am a fan…Ughhh. I just don’t even know who I am anymore!

Side rant--I wonder if she has ever read about the dynamic relationship between Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett Browning? You know, one of the first women poets bold enough to write a nine book semi-autobiographical epic poem about the struggles of being an outspoken woman writer. You know, the whole I refuse to live a caged bird life thing?...Hardly sounds “dead” to me. I guess not. I guess it is appropriate to misread Robert Browning’s poetry and reduce him to a necrophiliac.

Ok…so she isn’t an expert on 19^th century Victorian poetry. I can maybe let her irresponsible reference to Browning’s poetry slide. But when she links Lynch’s Twin Peaks to right-wing Reagan era politics all I can do is shake my head.

Getting to my point: PLEASE—Use theory responsibly! Am I saying that people should stop using feminist theory? Absolutely not. It is relevant and much needed. That being said, it is highly irresponsible to focus on a limited aspect of an artist’s work and do your “thing” all while ignoring the rest of the work that boldly contradicts your argument. I understand you want to get published, but be ethical. By the way- I am not just standing on my soapbox and saying this to the rest of the public.  This is advice I continually give myself when I get some wild idea. Point is, sometimes you need to talk yourself down a little and think through your argument and if and only if you can provide a persuasive case should you move forward.

 

And yes, my title is misleading, disturbing, and just plain incendiary. Now you know how I felt.

Robert Browning is probably turning in his grave. That’s hot.