SCHADENFREUDE.

SCHADENFREUDE. I have from to time posted on critics who support dismissive judgments with affectations. This morning the Financial Times (March 11) had a review of the new Martin Scorsese movie Shutter Island. The critic makes the point that the movie is not for the intelligent: “Thought can be fatal, here…..” He compares it to a painting which he considers a “kitsch classic.” and says the movie would be more enjoyable “if you could take out your brain and experience it only with eyes and ears.” I was amused to see that he begins his treatment of the film by saying: “Fancy people call it schadenfreude: joy in shadows.” Of course, the dictionary definition of schadenfreude is: “enjoyment obtained from the troubles of others.” The etymology is: “Etymology: German, from Schaden damage + Freude joy.” (The German word for the shadow is der Schatten.)