Why are there four-letter words once in a while even in contemporary classics,what's the author's key message?

Question

Sometime it's annoying to read and have to read some obscene words which are obviously unnecessary in the context, therefore I throw/sell/give such books away.

I also wonder if any Nobel Laureate had used four-letter words in his/her works before, please let me know some who did that. It's simply pointless and rude to their readership worldwide, in my opinion, such words should be very private and used to one's closest friends only but gerneral readers're not such authors' friends, I'm sorry. Please write anything decent, creative, readable and enjoyable to read to live in this chaotic world. It's like a genre of junk literary pieces they try to present to the public to read, for what? Something like emotional/sexual release?

Hello,those PhD candidates out there, this might be a thesis title you should ponder and do it, some bookworms and I will be definitely appreciated.

Answer 1

"four-letter words" as you call them are used by authors, poets, playwrights and other writers because they are strong words with strong emotional impact. As a poet, I would feel insulted if there were certain words that I could not use just because they might offend someone. I, and most writers, write to express ourselves, not to please an audience. If you are offended by a piece of writing, then it obviously isn't meant for you, but for thos ewho can see the words as more than obscene and forbiddian wish to enjoy the power those words posses.

Answer 2

Realism.

If someone has just destroyed the love of his life, a character is perhaps not likely to sit down and say "oh gosh".

Again with sex, if someone is in the height of passion and is a bawdy character, he is not likely to ask his good lady if she wouldn't mind awfully in engaging in a little sexual congress.

I agree that excessive use of 4-letter words is tedious - however I offer several points for your consideration:-

1. It is a shame that you allow a collection of a few letters to ruin an otherwise engaging piece of literature.

2. What power do these words have over you - and why do you permit them this power?

3. Would you rather read an unrealistic expression - than a true "base level, honest feeling" ?

4. Are you under the impression that EVERYTHING else in the classics is generally very good - and yet each time a four-letter word has been used, the author has somehow lost the plot and couldn't think of an alternative word?

5. In your opinion, what do YOU feel the purpose of the words are?

6. What if perhaps just rarely,the author CHOOSES to shock you - perhaps there is a reason he wishes you to raise an eyebrow and ponder his choice of words.

7. Please also DO remember that at the time many of the classic were written, words such as we do not mention today in polite company, were NOT regarded as offensive at the time - simply expressive.

Lastly, by way of illustration of point 7, let me (using asterisks) show you a prime example of how what is now regarded as an extremely offensive word was regarded as a perfectly mentionable name for a London (and Northampton) street.

In both cases, the street now is called Grove Street
It WAS called Grope Street
it was ORIGINALLY called Gropec**t Lane - because this is exactly where that activity happened - it was where the ladies of the night would ply their trade - and the punters would arrive to pay their money and, well, I am sure you have worked out the rest.

At the time these Streets were named (obviously) such a word was NOT considered offensive. So why should literature have avoided it?

To suggest it is rude to the readership around the world is, I humbly suggest, a little presumptuous on your part that you know their intentions at the time of writing better than they did.

Answer 3

Various possibilities: (1) Verisimilitude - the author wants the character or situation to come across as "real," & that is the way a particular character (or the narrator, which is a persona created by the author) would really talk. A novel isn't a business letter or an invitation to a social event, and literary characters are not always the kinds of people you're likely to meet in polite society! (2) The author wants a particular emotional reaction from the reader & is using language he/she thinks will get that reaction. An author might deliberately try to provoke you to ensure that you can't easily forget the ideas presented in the story. (3) To the author, four-letter words may be just normal, everyday language, & either it hasn't occurred to him/her that some readers might consider the language "rude" (doubtful, but possible) or he/she is writing to an audience of like-minded readers, people who might, in the right circumstances, become the writer's "closest friends." .........I'm curious as to why you allow four-letter words such power over you; what is your cultural background? You don't sound like a native speaker of English; does your first language have the equivalent of English "four-letter words"?--& if so, are there certain contexts in which it's OK to use that language, & others in which it's not appropriate? My response is not intended to be at all judgmental; I'm seeking greater understanding. Thank you.

Answer 4

I suppose some slang/profanity originated in a time that even a Nobel Laureate could draw some inspiration from. For example, "Fornication Under the Consent of the King" is a term from the Renaissance which is an obvious acronym for the much-abused notorious "F" word. For a character in a novel to use this word in a sentence may indeed be crass and unnecessary to you, but may have been perfectly appropriate for the time. Although I agree with you on many levels, and think profanity in literature and speech a waste of time, it is also the epitome of freedom of speech of the author. Like Basquiat and Warhol's art, some contemporary classics may be more of a cultural movement that captures the truth of an era, and although hard to swallow, necessary for literary evolution. Often if done right, the stuff of controversy makes for a great work.

Answer 5

This is a way the author express the emotion of his/her characters. In real life, there are used quite often - a figure of speech to some. Why do you get so upset to the extend of disposing those books that have such expression. If you are so particular, you should switch to fairy tales. Come on, if you love reading, there will be some authors that you may wish to meet in real life and become their friends, not only fans.

Answer 6

Authors use the Anglo-Saxon Vulgate Vernacular to express extreme emotions.

Answer 7

Profanity is the crutch of an inarticulate S.O.B......

Answer 8

8945

Answer 9

DEY SHMELL LYKE POO!