I can take criticism. What I cannot take is criticism that comes from a position of equal ignorance. The Balinese are neither more nor less saintly than any other people. It is perfectly true that my story contains a one dimensional Balinese character. It also contains a one dimensional Dutch character. Is that any less deserving of comment? Mystery stories in general contain villains. There is always someone with less than pure intentions. Making it a non-English person says no more about that race, group or nationality than making an English person would say about the English. To refuse to ever portray a given identity group as containing evil members is no better than refusing to portray any of them in a positive light. Yes, Watson would fail to distinguish between the particular and the general, but why should a reader do so?
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2004-01-02 04:32 pm (UTC)Mystery stories in general contain villains. There is always someone with less than pure intentions. Making it a non-English person says no more about that race, group or nationality than making an English person would say about the English. To refuse to ever portray a given identity group as containing evil members is no better than refusing to portray any of them in a positive light.
Yes, Watson would fail to distinguish between the particular and the general, but why should a reader do so?