In our modern world, this elemental quality of…
““In our modern world, this elemental quality of storytelling is denied. We live today in a world in which everything has its place and function and nothing is left out of place. Storytelling is thus at a discount and like everything else in a world ruled by the laws of exchange value, literature is required to submit itself to the requirements of the market and must learn, like any other commodity, to adapt and serve needs that lie outside of itself and its concrete value. It is forced to stand not for itself but for an ideological cause of one sort or another, whether it be political, social or literary. It cannot exist for itself: like everything else it has to be justified. And for this very reason the power of storytelling is automatically devalued. Literature is reduced to the status of complimentary utilitarian functions: as a pastime to provide distraction and entertainment, or as a heightened activity that would claim to explore 'great truths' about the human condition.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The market forces diminish storytelling’s intrinsic worth, turning literature into a tool for external agendas rather than a self‑sustaining art.
In simple terms: Market pressures cheapen storytelling.
Key Takeaway
Resist commodification of art.
Themes
art
economics
culture
power
authenticity
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- publishing
- education
- media criticism
- policymaking
- creative writing
Key Concepts
commodification
ideology
value
function
Questions to Reflect On
- How can writers maintain artistic integrity?
- What alternatives exist to market‑driven publishing?
A Different Perspective
Stories can still hold intrinsic value despite market demands.