Source Assignment

One source listed in Jonathan Lethem’s “The Ecstasy of Influence: A Plagiarism” is Lewis Hyde’s book “The Gift.” It regards the act of selling and owning works of art, and it defines the fine line between plagiarism and inspiration. I find this topic extremely interesting as I am a supporter of art and can see myself writing my research paper around an idea such as this. This source’s claim is that the inspiration one artist receives from another’s work is considered the same interaction as one being given a gift. “It is the assumption of this book that a work of art is a gift, not a commodity” (Hyde 1). Based on this assumption the book further claims that the circulation of art should be continuous in the market rather than as a hoarded commodity. The stylistic features of the introduction include relatable scenarios, such as concerts and popular books, that portray the type of relationship between art and people where they are “touched” by the work. This invokes an audience because it not only draws the attention of those who are in fact touched by art but it also reaches those who are artists themselves as an external perspective of the interaction is described. The tone of the source is almost bitter that art is being commodified in society, and it is passionate about the feelings elicited by art. The rhetorical situation is that Hyde is calling for people to view art as a source of inspiration shared by people as a whole rather than owned as merely a commodity. He provides explanation as to why art is a gift as opposed to something simply transacted because it evokes emotional connections.

http://www.lewishyde.com/publications/the-gift/excerpt