On 6/2/07, Brock Weller brock.weller@gmail.com wrote:
The plot summaries you mention are not plot summaries used by reference works. An encyclopedia of 20th century literature is going to tell you that George shoots Lenny. The back of the book will not. You seem to be comparing apples (advertisements and eyecatchers wanting to hook you) with oranges (reference works that are designed to actually be useful)
The contention was that it's impossible to separate a spoiler from a plot summary, as if they're somehow intricately linked. They're not. Have you never discussed a film with a group of people, and then paused and said, "are any of you going to see it?" Then, those that are cover their ears while you explain the ending. Pretty clear distinction don't you think?
The example you give is borderline: Of mice and men was published a long time ago and is a well-known classic. And knowing of the impending shooting doesn't necessarily "spoil" the rest. Come to think of it, my example was pretty bad, too. The Skywalker/Vader or Sixth Sense examples are much stronger, and can both be discussed quite separately from the "plot summary" in any case.
It may be the case that in individual examples, it's very difficult to write a good plot summary without spoiling the film. Maybe. But it's not the case that it is difficult or impossible in every instance.
Steve