Such is the art of writing as Dreiser understands it and…
“Such is the art of writing as Dreiser understands it and practices it--an endless piling up of minutiae, an almost ferocious tracking down of ions, electrons and molecules, an unshakable determination to tell it all. One is amazed by the mole-like diligence of the man, and no less by his exasperating disregard for the ease of his readers.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Mencken critiques a writer who obsessively details every scientific element, sacrificing reader ease for exhaustive completeness.
In simple terms: Obsessive detail harms readability.
Key Takeaway
Balance depth with clarity.
Themes
writing
detail
readability
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
literary criticism
observational
When to use this quote
- academic writing
- technical manuals
- novel drafting
- editing
Key Concepts
scientific precision
exhaustiveness
authorial intent
Questions to Reflect On
- How can detail serve, not overwhelm, the reader?
- When is brevity more effective?
A Different Perspective
Too much minutiae can alienate audiences.