Against these popular plans we here solemnly appeal. We…
““Against these popular plans we here solemnly appeal. We say, let your rogues in novels act like rogues, and your honest men like honest men; don’t let us have any juggling and thimble-rigging with virtue and vice, so that, at the end of three volumes, the bewildered reader shall not know which is which; don’t let us find ourselves kindling at the generous qualities of thieves, and sympathising with the rascalities of noble hearts. For our own part, we know what the public likes, and have chosen rogues for our characters, and have taken a story from the “Newgate Calendar,” which we hope to follow out to edification. Among the rogues, at least, we will have nothing that shall be mistaken for virtues. And if the British public (after calling for three or four editions) shall give up, not only our rascals, but the rascals of all other authors, we shall be content: — we shall apply to Government for a pension, and think that our duty is done.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The author satirically argues for clear moral distinctions in storytelling, rejecting ambiguous virtue.
In simple terms: Storytellers should keep good and evil distinct.
Key Takeaway
Avoid moral ambiguity in narratives.
Themes
literature
ethics
storytelling
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
literary
satirical
When to use this quote
- novel writing
- character development
- public reception
Key Concepts
satire
moral clarity
Questions to Reflect On
- Should fiction reflect moral complexity?
- How does ambiguity affect reader engagement?
A Different Perspective
Readers may prefer complex characters over clear-cut morals.