I have seen quite a few folk whom I know to be both fair…
![“I have seen quite a few folk whom I know to be both fair minded and, as it happens,[Bob] Dylan fans, take up cudgels for this position. To them, it's not necessarily that Dylan doesn't merit the highest honour. It's that he doesn't merit this specific highest honour [Nobel prize], in the way a…” quote by David Bennun](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/423/david-bennun-25818_bob_i-have-seen-quite-a-few-folk-whom-i-know_1379291.jpg)
“I have seen quite a few folk whom I know to be both fair minded and, as it happens,[Bob] Dylan fans, take up cudgels for this position. To them, it's not necessarily that Dylan doesn't merit the highest honour. It's that he doesn't merit this specific highest honour [Nobel prize], in the way a champion pole vaulter shouldn't be given a medal for the long jump. It is in this group that the Wahey!s are mainly to be found, firing off jests, or mock solemnly reciting Dylan's sillier lyrics as if these are entirely representative of his oeuvre.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The author critiques those who defend Dylan’s merit but argue he doesn’t deserve a Nobel, likening it to rewarding a pole vaulter for a long jump.
In simple terms: People can be selective about honors.
Key Takeaway
Question the criteria for awards.
Themes
fairness
recognition
artistic merit
Mood
skeptical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inquisitive
When to use this quote
- literary criticism
- award nomination processes
- public discourse
- music journalism
Key Concepts
award criteria
subjectivity
cultural value
Questions to Reflect On
- What defines “highest honour”?
- Should awards be genre‑specific?
A Different Perspective
Awards may not capture an artist’s full impact.