In my twenties if even a tenth reading of Mallarmé failed…
““In my twenties if even a tenth reading of Mallarmé failed to yield up its treasures, the fault was mine, not his. If my eyes swooned shut while I read The Sweet Cheat Gone , Proust’s pacing was never called into question, just my intelligence and dedication and sensitivity. And I still entertain these sacralizing preconceptions about high art. I still admire what is difficult, though I now recognize it as a “period” taste and that my generation was the last to give a damn. Though we were atheists, we were, strangely enough, preparing ourselves for God’s great Quiz Show; we had to know everything because we were convinced we would be tested on it—in our next life.””
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 reflects on youthful pretensions toward high art, recognizing personal failure to grasp complex works and seeing that era as a final, earnest engagement with challenging culture.
In simple terms: Youthful pretension to art, missed understanding, final earnestness
Key Takeaway
Acknowledge limits, appreciate effort, let go of elitism
Themes
art criticism
generational identity
spiritual searching
Mood
reflective
nostalgic
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- college literature courses
- personal reading challenges
- art museum visits
- intellectual debates
Key Concepts
existentialism
aesthetic judgment
cultural nostalgia
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you judge art beyond difficulty?
- What does “period taste” mean for you?
A Different Perspective
Personal bias can cloud appreciation of any art form.