Dwight Macdonald and the Critique of Mass Culture
During the late 1950s and 1960s, Dwight Macdonald emerged as a formidable voice in cultural criticism. His work focused on the intersection of art, media, and society, specifically analyzing how the rise of mass media influenced the quality of intellectual and artistic life in America. Macdonald was particularly concerned with the proliferation of mediocrity and the dilution of profound works to suit a general audience.
The Battle Against Midcult
Macdonald coined the term Midcult to describe cultural products that present themselves as sophisticated or high-brow but are actually designed for mass consumption. He argued that these products offer a superficial version of culture, persuading the public they are benefiting from art while actually consuming a commodified substitute.
His critiques spanned various mediums. He targeted the "blandly wholesome" worldview found in Thornton Wilder's 1938 play Our Town and criticized the commodification of the Great Books of the Western World. He was equally critical of linguistic simplification, specifically the 1966 Revised Standard Version (RSV) of the Bible. Macdonald argued that by making the Bible more "readable," the RSV flattened the poetic passion and awe found in the King James Version, effectively "stepping down the voltage" to ensure the text was safe and tepid for the modern reader.
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Influence on Public Policy and Intellectual Discourse
Macdonald's writing extended beyond aesthetic critiques into significant social and political influence. His 1961 review of Webster's Third Edition in The New Yorker became the definitive critique of the dictionary. More notably, his review of Michael Harrington's The Other America—a study on poverty in the United States—was read by President John F. Kennedy. This review is cited as a major factor in the initiation of Kennedy's plan for a war on poverty, a mission later adopted by President Lyndon B. Johnson.
Diverse Intellectual Perspectives
Because of his wide-ranging views, Macdonald has been categorized within several different intellectual traditions. Some scholars, such as Tadeusz Lewandowski, place him in the conservative tradition of British critic Matthew Arnold. Others associate him with the radical traditions of the New York Intellectuals (left-wing anti-Stalinists) and the Marxist Frankfurt School, a group of theorists known for their critical approach to mass culture.
However, not all critics agree on his motivations. In a 2011 essay for The New Republic, Franklin Foer accused Macdonald of being a "hatchet-man for high culture." Foer suggested that Macdonald's work, particularly in Masscult and Midcult: Against The American Grain, was essentially a plea for high-brow intellectuals to retreat into a hermetic world, producing art for one another while ignoring the masses.
Key Facts
- Midcult: A term used by Macdonald to describe ostensibly sophisticated culture intended for mass consumption.
- Political Impact: His review of The Other America influenced President Kennedy's war on poverty.
- Literary Critique: He famously criticized the Revised Standard Version of the Bible for lacking the poetic power of the King James Version.
- Major Works: Author of Against the American Grain: Essays on the Effects of Mass Culture (1962).
- Intellectual Lineage: Linked to Matthew Arnold, the Frankfurt School, and the New York Intellectuals.
| Subject | Macdonald's Perspective | Core Criticism |
|---|---|---|
| RSV Bible (1966) | Tepid expository prose | Loss of poetic passion and "voltage" |
| Our Town (1938) | Blandly wholesome | Exemplification of mediocrity |
| Great Books of the Western World | Commodified culture | Turning high culture into a product |
| Midcult | Pseudo-sophistication | Mass-marketed "high art" |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is "Midcult" according to Dwight Macdonald?
Midcult refers to cultural products that claim to be sophisticated or high-brow but are actually designed for mass consumption, often stripping away the challenging elements of true art to make it more palatable.
How did Macdonald influence U.S. government policy?
His review of Michael Harrington's book The Other America was read by President Kennedy and served as a significant catalyst for the start of the war on poverty.
What was Macdonald's primary objection to the Revised Standard Version of the Bible?
He believed the RSV flattened the language and removed the awe and passion found in the King James Version, making the text too safe and bland.
Who were the New York Intellectuals?
They were a group of left-wing anti-Stalinists to whom Macdonald was often linked within the field of cultural studies.
How did Franklin Foer view Macdonald's cultural criticism?
Foer viewed him as a "hatchet-man for high culture" who encouraged intellectuals to isolate themselves in a private world of art, ignoring the general public.