The old superstition about fiction being 'wicked' has…
““The old superstition about fiction being 'wicked' has doubtless died out in England; but the spirit of it lingers in a certain oblique regard directed toward any story which does not more or less admit that it is only a joke. Even the most jocular novel feels in some degree the weight of the proscription that was formerly directed against literary levity; the jocularity does not always succeed in passing for gravity. It is still expected, though perhaps people are ashamed to say it, that a production which is after all only a 'make believe' (for what else is a 'story'?) shall be in some degree apologetic-shall renounce the pretension of attempting really to compete with life. This, of course, any sensible wide-awake story declines to do, for it quickly perceives that the tolerance granted to it on such a condition is only an attempt to stifle it, disguised in the form of generosity. ””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Literature is often judged by its seriousness, and even humorous works are expected to carry moral weight, limiting true artistic freedom.
In simple terms: Humorous stories are pressured to seem serious.
Key Takeaway
Allow humor to be genuine without forced depth.
Themes
literary criticism
humor
artistic freedom
genre expectations
Mood
reflective
critical
thoughtful
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- writing workshops
- publishing decisions
- creative writing classes
- literary analysis
- media criticism
Key Concepts
postmodernism
censorship
authenticity
Questions to Reflect On
- How does the pressure to be serious affect your creative choices?
- Can humor stand alone without moral pretense?
A Different Perspective
The expectation of seriousness can stifle innovation and reduce audience engagement.