Which is probably one of the reasons those of us who love…
““Which is probably one of the reasons those of us who love contemporary fiction love it as we do. We’re alone with it. It arrives without references, without credentials we can trust. Givers of prizes (not to mention critics) do the best they can, but they may—they probably will—be scoffed at by their children’s children. We, the living readers, whether or not we’re members of juries, decide, all on our own, if we suspect ourselves to be in the presence of greatness. We’re compelled to let future generations make the more final decisions, which will, in all likelihood, seem to them so clear as to produce a sense of bafflement over what was valued by their ancestors; what was garlanded and paraded, what carried to the temple on the shoulders of the wise.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The passage reflects on the solitary, subjective experience of reading modern literature, emphasizing personal judgment over institutional authority.
In simple terms: Reading is personal; we decide what’s great ourselves.
Key Takeaway
Trust your own reading experience.
Themes
subjectivity
literature
authority
Mood
contemplative
analytical
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- reading clubs
- academic courses
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
personal taste
critical evaluation
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you form your own literary judgments?
- What role should critics play?
A Different Perspective
Institutional awards may still influence perception.