William Gass, Dies Aged 93

Hello Gentle Reader

I’ve always imagined William Gass, John Ashbery, and Harold Bloom to be of similar temperament with regards to their careers and how they have influenced American literary tastes and cultures over the latter half of the twentieth century. These three pigeons sat and guarded their ivory tower; only allowing the selected to view its chambers and inner sanctum. John Ashbery died back in September of two-thousand and seventeen; and now the American critic, short story writer, and casual novelist: William Gass, has also died, at the age of ninety three. Gass gathered attention in the late sixties and early seventies with his short stories, which were known for challenging the form, and were often considered dreamlike and surreal. However, it was his essays and academic writings which many found more appealing about the writer; which he often lamented with regret and sadness as he preferred to write fiction then concentrate solely on non-fictional pursuits. Between the nineteen-seventies and two-thousand and twelve, William Gass had published seven collections of essays, whose themes were abstract and academic in nature, they asked questions of language and the novelist format, as well as the idea of the metaphor among other eclectic but literary niche subject matters. Despite being considered an engrossing and engaging academic, Gass was often dismissed by other critics and academics, due to his constrain perspectives, and his redundant recitations. Gass refuted and refused to indulge in the thought that literature acted as a mirror or reflection of society; he preferred to dig deeper, into the elemental core of novels and books, and deconstruct and dismantle literature to its most elemental features. For example: William Gass proposed and argued the sentence was a cerebral universe of consciousness, belonging not to the reader, or society, or even the author, but rather the book itself. His philosophical and academic arguments were perhaps reminiscent of the conspiracy theorist uncle, or the philosophical junkie nephew who mutters and talks as if he has unlocked the secrets of life and the universe, but in the process has lost all sanity and reasons, and cannot articulate his thoughts in any coherent manner. Ever the radical, Gass never ceased to debate, lecture, and defend his opinions, perspectives, and essay; though sadly this contrarian and radical thoughts often made him a polarized and controversial character; one both praised and ridiculed, and more often than not left on top bookshelves to collect dust. William Gass was perhaps too poetically pedantic with his literary pursuits; though this did not hinder his small successes and his publishing career. Now with his death William Gass’s criticism and radical perspectives will once again being renewed reviewed, as others will attempt to deconstruct and understand the cerebral consciousness hidden within the sentences.

Thank-you For Reading Gentle Reader

Take Care

And As Always

Stay Well Read

M. Mary