Scholarly Source Evaluation
“The Literary Offenses of a Neo Nazi: Narrative Voice in The Turner Diaries" by Dr. Jonathan Cullick is an academic analysis of a book ostensibly focusing on certain elements of its composition which contribute significantly to its weakness as a narrative of literary fiction. The thesis statement is, “As a work of fiction, it [The Turner Diaries] is an inept attempt, because substantial and persistent technical deficiencies undermine the novel” (Cullick n.p.) Analysis of Dr. Cullick's article will demostrate critical elements of his proof in focusing on and validating his thesis and the usefulness of this article as a scholarly source. Starting with the background of the author of the novel, William Pierce, …show more content…
He points out a number of weaknesses in the author-narrator's depiction of himself, the unrealistic presentation of other characters, and the focus on events rather than characterization in the novel. The point of describing these narrative weaknesses, for Cullick, is the assertion that, “The novel’s technical faults are the direct result of its ideological basis. The first-person narrator fails because he is who he is” (Cullick n.p.). Springing from the one-dimensional characters, Cullick further points out, is unrealistic dialogue and stereotyped personalities (particularly for the Jewish characters), and the failure to create believable characters. As for the one-dimensional character of Turner himself, the depiction of his love affair has no sense of reality or passion. The depiction of Turner and all the other characters is subordinated to their activities for the organization in pursuit of its objectives. Turner's personality merges with the operations and activities of The Order to the point that he has no personality aside from it. Cullick's major criticism of the charcterization of the Turner is that, reacting to what he identified as the evils of the “system” and wanting to destroy it, Turner himself unconsciously mimics the thinking of the “system” which he criticizes, making his character lacking in self-analysis and understanding: “...Turner has no control over the cognitive apparatus that he employs. Because he never gets to higher levels of critical thought, he lives the role of passive recipient, using his diaries to record his sensory data and replay memorized doctrine” (Cullick n.p.). Further, regading Turner's actions as a protagonist in the novel, paraphrasing an Amazon.com reviewer, Cullicking states, “There is much tedium
“The Literary Offenses of a Neo Nazi: Narrative Voice in The Turner Diaries" by Dr. Jonathan Cullick is an academic analysis of a book ostensibly focusing on certain elements of its composition which contribute significantly to its weakness as a narrative of literary fiction. The thesis statement is, “As a work of fiction, it [The Turner Diaries] is an inept attempt, because substantial and persistent technical deficiencies undermine the novel” (Cullick n.p.) Analysis of Dr. Cullick's article will demostrate critical elements of his proof in focusing on and validating his thesis and the usefulness of this article as a scholarly source. Starting with the background of the author of the novel, William Pierce, …show more content…
He points out a number of weaknesses in the author-narrator's depiction of himself, the unrealistic presentation of other characters, and the focus on events rather than characterization in the novel. The point of describing these narrative weaknesses, for Cullick, is the assertion that, “The novel’s technical faults are the direct result of its ideological basis. The first-person narrator fails because he is who he is” (Cullick n.p.). Springing from the one-dimensional characters, Cullick further points out, is unrealistic dialogue and stereotyped personalities (particularly for the Jewish characters), and the failure to create believable characters. As for the one-dimensional character of Turner himself, the depiction of his love affair has no sense of reality or passion. The depiction of Turner and all the other characters is subordinated to their activities for the organization in pursuit of its objectives. Turner's personality merges with the operations and activities of The Order to the point that he has no personality aside from it. Cullick's major criticism of the charcterization of the Turner is that, reacting to what he identified as the evils of the “system” and wanting to destroy it, Turner himself unconsciously mimics the thinking of the “system” which he criticizes, making his character lacking in self-analysis and understanding: “...Turner has no control over the cognitive apparatus that he employs. Because he never gets to higher levels of critical thought, he lives the role of passive recipient, using his diaries to record his sensory data and replay memorized doctrine” (Cullick n.p.). Further, regading Turner's actions as a protagonist in the novel, paraphrasing an Amazon.com reviewer, Cullicking states, “There is much tedium