Nice smile Quote by A.S. Byatt
““I think we've had rather too much dirt rather than not enough. That's not a prudish English remark, but a statement of saturation. These up-and-coming young men," she splutters. "Penelope Fitzgerald -- they think, 'Ah! Middle-aged lady with frizzy hair and a nice smile; she must be writing tastefully.' I say she's writing against taste, quite savagely. But they don't pick it up because they're brash young men poncing about, waving their blood and thunder and condoms!””
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Guardian, 2005
She critiques the shallow, stereotypical expectations placed on older female writers, noting that younger men dismiss her work as merely tasteful, missing its fierce, unconventional nature.
In simple terms: Older women writers are unfairly judged by young men.
Key Takeaway
Challenge stereotypes and read beyond surface impressions.
Themes
gender
age
literary criticism
stereotypes
authorial intent
Mood
critical
defiant
Type
analytical
defensive
When to use this quote
- publishing industry
- academic discussions
- book clubs
Key Concepts
feminist critique
literary analysis
Questions to Reflect On
- How does age affect literary reception?
- What biases influence your reading choices?
A Different Perspective
Young male readers may overlook depth due to bias.
