In a sense, the first (if not necessarily the prime)…
“In a sense, the first (if not necessarily the prime) function of a novelist, of ANY artist, is to entertain. If the poem, painting, play or novel does not immediately engage one's surface interest then it has failed. Whatever else it may or may not be, art is also entertainment. Bad art fails to entertain. Good art does something in addition.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Art must first capture attention; entertainment is its baseline, with deeper value beyond.
In simple terms: Art should first entertain, then add meaning.
Key Takeaway
Engage audience first, then enrich.
Themes
art
entertainment
engagement
value
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- novel writing
- film criticism
- gallery openings
- performance reviews
Key Concepts
aesthetic theory
audience reception
creative purpose
Questions to Reflect On
- Is entertainment a necessary condition for art?
- When does entertainment become trivial?
A Different Perspective
Some argue art's purpose is purely expression, not entertainment.