Considering Aaron Sorkin: Essays on the Politics, Poetics and Sleight of Hand in the Films and Television Series

by Thomas Fahy (Editor)

Aaron Sorkin is one of the most notable voices in Hollywood, attracting millions of weekly viewers with his television series The West Wing and scoring box office success with films like A Few Good Men and The American President. With a musician's sense of rhythm and writing skills honed in the theater, Sorkin crafts dialogue that brings characters to life. His crisp, tight language is both exciting to listen to and poetic in its beauty and power--but what lies behind the slick, sophisticated exchanges between Sorkin's characters? Does Sorkin's ability to captivate viewers with rapid-fire, humorous dialogue lull them into overlooking an inherent political agenda, a sense of elitism, and gender bias prominent throughout his work? Aaron Sorkin's skill as a writer garners him accolades, even from his complex, nuanced, sometimes subtle but often forceful, Sorkin's work is best understood when viewed from a variety of perspectives. This collection of essays on the work of Aaron Sorkin affords greater insight into the complexities of his writing, drawing connections between the film and television output of today's most prominent and influential screenwriter. Scholars from various fields--film, literature, art history, political science, and more--examine the thematic content and rhetorical strategy of Sorkin's writing. Eleven essayists explore the subtle, pervasive and often contradictory messages woven throughout Sorkin's work, from politics to portrayals of women, and consider his impact on film, television and culture. An interview with Aaron Sorkin precedes the essays, each of which has notes and a bibliography. An appendix covering film and television credits is included. Instructors considering this book for use in a course may .

Genres: Nonfiction

229 pages, Paperback

First published January 11, 2005

About the author

Thomas Fahy is a nonfiction writer, novelist, and professor of literature and creative writing. His most recent book, The Life of the Author: F. Scott Fitzgerald, is being released in the fall of 2025. He has also published essays on everything from Paris Hilton and 1980s vampire films to contemporary television and theater. His works have been translated into several languages, and he has been interviewed by the Associated Press, Salon, and other publications, as well as radio hosts in the United States, Britain, Canada, Australia, Ireland, and Malaysia. He was recently featured in a documentary about Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood for Arte Television and on the BBC radio program “Literary Pursuits.”

When he is not writing, Dr. Fahy performs regularly as a classical pianist with the New York Piano Society and has appeared in recent concerts at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Merkin Concert Hall, and other venues in New York City.

Reviews

[Brian Eshleman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. Watch the show. Writers commenting about it, mostly to people who haven't watch the show, is not that engaging.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eleven critical essays on Aaron Sorkin's works Malice, A Few Good Men, The American President, Sports Night, and The West Wing:

Introduction and interview with Aaron Sorkin - Thomas Fahy.
Mannerist Noir: Malice - Robert F. Gross
In Plain View and the Dark Unknown: Narratives of the Feminine Body in Malice - Susann Cokal
Athletes, Grammar Geeks, and Porn Stars: The Liberal Education of Sports Night - Thomas Fahy
A Phantom Fly and Frightening Fish: The Unconscious Speaks in Sports Night - Douglas Keesey
His Girl Friday (and Every Day): Brilliant Women Put to Poor Use - Kirstin Ringelberg
Depictions of the U.S. Military: Only "A Few Good Men" Need Apply - Fiona Mills
Giving Propaganda a Good Name: The West Wing - Ann C. Hall
Handling the Truth: Sorkin's Liberal Vision - Spencer Downing
Virtue From Vice: Duty, Power, and The West Wing - Nathan A. Paxton
Women of The West Wing: Gender Stereotypes in the Political Fiction - Laura K. Garrett
The Republic of Sorkin: A View From the Cheap Seats - John Nein

The major themes of the essays were generally things I'd never really thought about in Sorkin's work before, like sexism/feminism, using higher education as a weapon, and power + virtue. Also often discussed was Sorkin's ideal vision of government/politics, America, and American society. Very interesting articles.

[Mie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoughtful meta and criticism about Aaron Sorkin's work is endless, usually centering on either a) how his works are liberal's daydream or b) how he really can't seem to write women right. These essays give a fair amount of criticisms to his works - up until The West Wing.

There are other points presented, like how he enjoys writing fast talking, well educated characters, or how he almost always seems to advocate that people in government are capable of setting aside agenda for the common good. These demonstrate why Sorkin's work remains to be inspirational and well loved. They allow you to think and debate on matters, they don't make you root against people, you want them to win because they're fighting for you. You want to live in their world because they're doing the right things.

Interesting if a follow up can be made including his latest works - Studio 60, Charlie Wilson's War, Moneyball, The Social Network, The Newsroom, and Steve Jobs. Would the criticisms and insights still hold true? Has he improved or did he reach peak Sorkin in The West Wing? Still, if the man has created something, you're still rooting for him because you know his works are always well done.

[lainey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting analysis to Aaron Sorkin's work, particularly West Wing.

Makes me want to rewatch West Wing Season 1- 4, A Few Good Men and The American President and makes me wish Sorkin comes up with more stuff soon.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars because I do like reading meta-critique of Sorkin shows, but honestly I was so pissed that the first essay (by the editor, Fahy) gets an episode title wrong, that I was angry the whole way through. How can I take your critique seriously if you can't even get an episode title right? ARGH.

[Rachel C. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Never are the weaknesses of academic writing more evident than when the subject matter is a good writer. Aaron Sorkin's bread and butter is taking an intellectual point and making it accessible. Making smart, cool. So basically, he can dunk on any of these contributors.

I know Sorkin's stuff pretty well, so it was hardly news to me that a) he dreams of living in a liberal wonderland; and b) he has a hard time writing women. (On the latter point, they didn't even get to Studio 60 or The Newsroom. You guys thought C.J. and Abbey were bad?)

Nowhere was there a discussion of how dazzling Sorkin's writing can be. How he can distill complicated ideals and morals into the highest proof dialogue, and make it look effortless.

This is going to be another one where I tell you to just go straight to the source.