On Carver...

"But if the writing can't be made as good as it is within us to make it, then why do it?" -Carver, On Writing

I find this to be extremely problematic. Here Carver implies that if writers are unable to make it perfect the first time around then they would be better off not producing anything at all. Imagine if this were true. Think of all the great literature that would have become lost in transition. Anthony Burgess has admitted on a number of occasions that he regrets rushing through Clockwork Orange. And had he not have been told he was dying he would have done things differently. Imagine a world without Anthony Burgess. Imagine a world without Clockwork Orange.

Moreover, I find Carver's thinking flawed since it strictly defines as world of "perfect" literature. What is perfect in the world of literature? Simply because something may be viewed as immaculate to one person does not mean it would be seen under the same light to another. That's the beauty of the arts. While Poe argues the necessity of beauty. But he would not dare to define what constitutes beauty to another. Beauty is relative. It is ambiguous. It is often hidden...which is what makes it beautiful.