An Internet hub with domestic and international news, analysis, original reporting, and popular features from the left, center, indies, centrists, moderates, and right
Literary Quote of the Day: D.H. Lawrence
Today’s literary quote of the day is from D.H. Lawrence’ Studies in Classic American Literature:
Never trust the artist. Trust the tale. The proper function of a critic is to save the tale from the artist who created it.
Share your thoughts on today’s literary quote in the comment section of this post.
11 Responses to “Literary Quote of the Day: D.H. Lawrence”
As someone who once fancied a career in writing fiction, I have developed a healthy disdain for all critics of all shapes and sizes and would respectfully disagree with Mr. Lewis’ assessment! The artist and the tale survive on their own merits, and the only valid critic is the bulk of readers who enjoy or don’t enjoy the artists’ tale.
‘the only valid critic is the bulk of readers who enjoy or don’t enjoy the artists’ tale’
Pete- this is Lowest Common Denominator thinking, and wehy literature is so BAD now.
Perhaps the best chosen quote yes, MVDG, but the fact is that most critics suffer from the same ills as the artists. BTW- rec’d that DVD from the Turk fellow today. Will prob watch and review it in the next month or so- also ordered another film of his. Will let you know my thoughts when seen.
Great quote! A reminder that the creation transcends the artist – (painter, musician, writer, etc.) The foibles of the artist don’t necessarily taint the creation. And perhaps a critic can be more honest when they know less about the artist.
Do what you feel in your heart to be right. You’ll be criticized anyway.
Eleanor Roosevelt
Dan,
Great to hear that! I still haven’t published a review of it due to lack of time, but I will. When you publish your review, let me know and I will link to it. I’m wondering what you think of it.
What other film did you order?
Thanks J.S. and Dan for the compliment by the way. My question to you Dan is: best quote, or your favorite one?
I’m somewhere in between what you write and what Dan writes when he wrote:
We should never forget that mass produced popular culture is meant not to be too difficult, not to be too deep, etc.
What I don’t understand is why it said “Lewis” instead of Lawrence. I probably did that myself of course… strange. I have changed it into “Lawrence”.
Lewis? What the hell was I thinking?
Sorry for that people.
“Lewis? What the hell was I thinking?”
Hmm, since the quote deals with critics, maybe you recently stumbled upon this book: “Sinclair Lewis: New Essays in Criticism” and thus made the wrong mental connection? Also, Rudi mentioned ‘Elmer Gantry’ some threads ago…
No not at all. And I had to analyze this essay for a course I’m taking.
So… umh, I don’t have an excuse really.
Both- it’s cogent, and cores into the very ‘art’ of quoting. It’s apt and well said, albeit with caveats.
The film is DISTANT.
Pete also conflates enjoyability w quality, yet on eof the funniest films ever made is Plan 9 From Outer Space- a bad sci fi film that was serious.
As for pop culture not being deep, this is true, but that’s why writing is distibuished between verse and poetry, literary fiction and genre fiction, and art between illustration and painting, folk art and high art.