Tim Romano wrote:
> Why read literature that lacks clarity?

The question above has been obstinately staring me in the face every
time I visit this list in recent weeks.  The question is too important
to allow just deleting it, but the answer is less obvious the longer
Tim's question sits there.

Obviously, we *do* read and enjoy literature that lacks clarity.  The
Cantos being a prime example.  And yet, clarity is clearly (so to speak)
a virtue.  For example, you can make a case that Vikram Seth is the
greatest living writer of English prose (a formidable poet too) and it
is just impossible to imagine more transparent writing then Seth's.

What other virtue in famous less-than-clear literature is it that
compensates for lack of clarity?   I think this is a really important
question. -Tim