I have graded my separate works from A to D. The grades I…
““I have graded my separate works from A to D. The grades I hand out to myself do not place me in literary history. I am comparing myself with myself. Thus can I give myself an A-plus for Cat’s Cradle, while knowing that there was a writer named William Shakespeare. The report card is chronological, so you can plot my rise and fall on graph paper, if you like: Player Piano B The Sirens of Titan A Mother Night A Cat’s Cradle A-plus God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater A Slaughterhouse-Five A-plus Welcome to the Monkey House B-minus Happy Birthday, Wanda June D Breakfast of Champions C Wampeters, Foma & Grandfalloons C Slapstick D Jailbird A Palm Sunday C””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The narrator grades his own literary works, comparing himself to great writers, illustrating self‑evaluation and the absurdity of personal ranking.
In simple terms: Self‑assessment against literary giants.
Key Takeaway
Balance humility with self‑recognition.
Themes
self‑assessment
literature
humor
Mood
introspective
humorous
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- writing
- academic study
- personal growth
Key Concepts
comparative evaluation
creative process
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you measure personal success?
- What role does comparison play in motivation?
A Different Perspective
Self‑ranking may ignore subjective value and context.