You have to distinguish between things that seemed odd…
“You have to distinguish between things that seemed odd when they were new but are now quite familiar, such as Ibsen and Wagner, and things that seemed crazy when they were new and seem crazy now, like 'Finnegans Wake' and Picasso.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
He notes that some works initially seemed odd become accepted, while others remain puzzling, highlighting how cultural acceptance varies over time.
In simple terms: Some art stays strange, some becomes normal.
Key Takeaway
Recognize that novelty can be judged differently across eras.
Themes
culture
art
perception
history
change
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
observational
critical
When to use this quote
- literary criticism
- art education
- museum curation
- public discourse
Key Concepts
cultural evolution
subjective taste
canon formation
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you decide which new ideas will endure?
- What factors cause some works to become mainstream while others stay fringe?
A Different Perspective
Even accepted works can still be misunderstood by later audiences.