MASTERPIECES AS CARTOONS
471
the possible evil examples, namely: each adult and literate human
being who feels that literature is one of the necessary conditions of
civilized existence can set the example of reading
both
the original
classics and the cartoon versions. By doing both, he is keeping his hold
on literature at its best and at the same time he is remaining aware
of the experience and thus the consciousness of any other reader:
children, juveniles, adolescents, housewives, aged relatives, farmers,
mechanics, taxi-drivers-in fact, everyone! For the products of mass
culture preoccupy the minds of most human beings in America, whether
they know it or not. And in setting the good or least evil example of
maintaining his hold on great literature in the midst of forcing
himself
to be aware of the debased versions and mutilations and dilutions of
it, he may make some other readers imitative enough to come or return
to the classics in their full actuality. This proposal may seem very much
like one of the labors of Hercules. But it is also a lot of fun, at least
some of the time. Besides, Hercules was a hero, and as practically every–
one knows, all human beings want to be heroic heroes and heroines, at
least once in a while.
