TY - JOUR

T1 - The ethics and aesthetics of intertextual writing

T2 - Cultural appropriation and minor literature

AU - Haynes, Paul

PY - 2021/1/5

Y1 - 2021/1/5

N2 - Cultural appropriation, as both concept and practice, is a hugely controversial issue. It is of particular importance to the arts because creativity is often found at the intersection of cultural boundaries. Much of the popular discourse on cultural appropriation focusses on the commercial use of indigenous or marginalised cultures by mainstream or dominant cultures. There is, however, growing awareness that cultural appropriation is a complicated issue encompassing cultural exchange in all its forms. Creativity emerging from cultural interdependence is far from reciprocal exchange. This insight indicates that ethical and political implications are at stake. Consequently, the arts are being examined with greater attention in order to assess these implications. This article will focus on appropriation in literature, examining the way appropriative strategies are being used to resist dominant cultural standards. These strategies and their implications will be analysed through the lens of Deleuze and Guattari’s notion of minor literature.

AB - Cultural appropriation, as both concept and practice, is a hugely controversial issue. It is of particular importance to the arts because creativity is often found at the intersection of cultural boundaries. Much of the popular discourse on cultural appropriation focusses on the commercial use of indigenous or marginalised cultures by mainstream or dominant cultures. There is, however, growing awareness that cultural appropriation is a complicated issue encompassing cultural exchange in all its forms. Creativity emerging from cultural interdependence is far from reciprocal exchange. This insight indicates that ethical and political implications are at stake. Consequently, the arts are being examined with greater attention in order to assess these implications. This article will focus on appropriation in literature, examining the way appropriative strategies are being used to resist dominant cultural standards. These strategies and their implications will be analysed through the lens of Deleuze and Guattari’s notion of minor literature.

KW - cultural appropriation

KW - Intertextuality

KW - minor literature

U2 - 10.1093/aesthj/ayab001

DO - 10.1093/aesthj/ayab001

M3 - Article

JO - British Journal of Aesthetics

JF - British Journal of Aesthetics

SN - 1468-2842

ER -