Therefore, it's likely that Bloom would have been highly critical of Stephen King receiving an award reserved for literary geniuses.
Here's why:
* King's genre: Bloom had a disdain for genre fiction, considering it inferior to "serious" literature. He would have likely viewed King's horror novels as lacking literary merit and unworthy of such an award.
* Bloom's definition of genius: Bloom's definition of genius was rooted in the Western literary canon, focusing on works that explored complex themes and exhibited exceptional language and style. He likely wouldn't have considered King's work to meet these criteria.
* Popularity vs. artistic merit: Bloom often criticized the focus on popular culture and argued that true genius should be recognized for its artistic merit, not its commercial success. King's immense popularity might have further fueled Bloom's disapproval.
Bloom's criticism of King's work would likely have been pointed and scathing, as he was known for his sharp wit and uncompromising views. He would likely have argued that the award was a sign of the decline in literary standards and a further dilution of what it means to be a literary genius.
It's important to note that this is just a hypothetical interpretation based on Bloom's known opinions. He never explicitly addressed Stephen King or the specific award in question.