Mormon As A Classic Tragic Figure

[zerinus]

Consiglieri, I was thinking about an implicit question in this thread which is 'why is the BofM not taken more seriously as a literary work?'

I think that lifeonaplate may have somewhat inadvertently stumbled upon the answer in post #19 of this thread, when he quoted the following scriptures:

These passages stidently condemn those who criticize writing style and the content of the BofM. (Also, as an aside, the author criticizes his own writing but praises that of the Brother of Jared, which would've totally convinced you by the way, but they've been conveniently lost. ) Threatening the judgment of Christ upon somebody if they criticize a book makes it tough to start an open discussion of the books strengths and weakness.

And truthfully, while the BofM has some beautiful parts and some interesting ones, a lot of it reads like this scripture, which I chose at random:

The author here has taken 45 words to say that all of the Nephites believed the prophets.

It doesn't quite sound the same though! I think that I like the original one better than your emended reading!

I don't find it surprising that literary critics who wade through this type of prose only to read that they will be face judgment if they criticize the book may have a strong, defensive and maybe even sneering reaction the other way.

I don't think that that is intended to discourage people from conducting a "literary criticism" of the book, provided they can keep everything else in proper balance and perspective. I think the aim of that is to deter people from treating it as a common piece of literature, to the point of discounting it as a book of scripture and a revelation from God.

zerinus

[consiglieri]

Consiglieri, this is an interesting thread thanks for starting it. Sorry if some of my thoughts below tread ground that's already covered.

Anyway, like I said, interesting thread thanks for starting it. I'd be interested in any thoughts you have.

Thanks for all your points, Spinner, and you make a lot of them.

I haven't really had a chance to give it the thought it deserves what with work demands and such. I think you are right that there are some major divergences between Mormon and classic Greek figures; but perhaps some similarities, as well.

But thank you again for your wonderful contribution!

Happy Thanksgiving!

--Consiglieri