While I can understand the logic behind the “English majors are pretentious because they are” theory, I think it is difficult to refute because it seems incriminating. Out rush the “Hey, I’m not pretentious!” responses, which are easily ignored as they seem to adhere to the whiny nature of the supposed pretentious English major. Simply, it is impossible to claim one is not pretentious without looking dramatic and self-pitying, and therefore, pretentious. But I think saying “English majors are pretentious because they are” can be a bit dangerous.
I wanted to speak to the appearance of English majors as a body that is pretentious. Yes, it may seem as though English majors needed to prove themselves intelligent as English itself was deemed unworthy due to “its reliance on an activity that every educated gentleman was supposed to be doing”(20).
But I believe, in some way, the view of English as a luxurious pursuit stems from the perception of art as luxury. I am speaking to history (1700s, 1800s, 1900s) when I think of art as something that was bought for and by the rich. Poor people in the 1700s did not have the works of Pisanello or DaVinci hanging on their walls. Not only could the rich afford the art, but often painters would only create a painting themselves if a rich, important person were buying it (and if a middle class individual requested a work, painters would often have paid associates in their studios create it and then put the painter’s name on it).
Being from a family where college itself is a very, very rare luxury, if anyone I was related to knew I pursued English they would laugh. I think, in their minds, English is connected to art in some way. They think, I believe, that if you are lucky enough to go to college you are going to pursue something that will definitely get you a job and a good paycheck. That those who pursue English have money. That those who pursue English have something to fall back on when they graduate if they can’t find a job. That those who do not have money do not pursue English. (Surprise, Mom!)
I think pursuing English seems bold in some way because it does not always tie concretely to a career. Pursue biology, people have grand ideas that often involve hefty paychecks: optometrists, surgeons, dentists, gynecologists. Pursue English and people ask you if you plan on marrying rich.
Pursuing English seems to be perceived as a hobby for wealthier people with the time and money to devote to luxuries. I think saying English majors are pretentious is dangerous, then, because it can perpetuate the idea of English being a luxury and not as serious (at least in my life, anyway). I think “English majors are pretentious because they are” can perpetuate the image of the snotty, privileged private school kid (and thus make it more difficult for people from less affluent backgrounds (and paying for their own educations by themselves) to pursue the subject without fear of ridicule).
This is an interesting take on the question of why people view English majors as being pretentious. It reminds me of Dr. McCoy’s story about her undergraduate experiences, although I’d probably disagree with anyone who accused English majors of being snobs of fine art since I’ve always viewed the whole of literature as a more humble, amorphous – dare I say interdisciplinary? – craft.
I also think it depends on how you use the word pretentious. How you’re using it here seems to refer specifically to students trying to appear more cultured by pursuing a major in English. You might enjoy reading my blog post (that I did a terrible job of summarizing in class) where I address this issue concerning the word used as referring to people trying to appear smarter than they are vs. your use of it as trying to appear more cultured.
Also, I’m curious where you got the argument “English majors are pretentious because they are”, which kicked off your post. I wonder if this was what you interpreted me talking in class as? If that’s the case I can tell you that that was not at all what I was trying to say. Again, I can really only defer you to my blog post that I struggled to summarize at Dr. McCoy’s request. I like circular logic as much as the next guy, but in this case I did actually provide a specific argument.