The following essay analyzes two articles arguing for the importance of literary aestheticism as an adjunct to ideological critique.

While many people (the ingenuous) may argue that literature has no function whatsoever, and that it is only the product, like any other product, such as a Chia pet, music videos, and video games, meant solely for personal gratification, those reflective and erudite few who prefer lucubration to the mental masturbation (which video games and music videos engender) of the majority in society understand that the functions of literature and reasons for its production, and …

…internal constraints. We do not ask it to do work; it just works. Levine never insinuates that it is the only way to social salvation, just one way that we should seriously consider, before it dies out and becomes extinct. While Levine's vision may not be a perfect one, it is incredibly hopeful. Berube's attempts to discredit it, even though he also fears the death of the aesthetic, may actually bring his fears to fruition.