Artifact Quote by David Shields
“The novel is an artifact, which is why antiquarians cling to it so fervently.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Novel as Artifact,” The New Yorker, 2014
Novels are physical objects, leading scholars to protect them obsessively.
In simple terms: Novels are objects, so scholars cling to them.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the medium’s materiality.
Themes
literature
preservation
scholarship
Mood
analytical
contemplative
Type
critical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- library curation
- academic study
- collecting books
Key Concepts
material culture
historical value
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we value physical books?
- How does materiality affect reading experience?
A Different Perspective
Digital formats challenge the notion of physicality.
