> choosing to see literature through the hateful lens of power dynamics robs you of the change to see this beauty. I enjoy selected classics quite a bit, and I

> choosing to see literature through the hateful lens of power dynamics robs you of the change to see this beauty. I enjoy selected classics quite a bit, and I've studied them in depth. One of my favorite pieces is Beethoven's Waldstein Sonata, and I can talk about it in the context of evolution of sonata form. I also know my Duke Ellington and my Joni Mitchell, my Stevie Wonder and my Beatles -- all of which are similarly regarded as unassailable classics within certain circles of devotees. An appreciation for the classics is completely compatible with the conviction that they are not "timeless universals", but that every last one of them is a product of a specific time and place. And the clash between canons is in fact a disgusting political and cultural power struggle.