Attention Quote by E. B. White
“In a free country it is the duty of writers to pay no attention to duty. Only under a dictatorship is literature expected to exhibit an harmonious design or an inspirational tone.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Role of the Writer, 1952
Writers should ignore imposed obligations and write freely; only oppressive regimes demand conformity in literature.
In simple terms: Writers must stay independent; dictators demand conformity.
Key Takeaway
Write without fear of imposed duty.
Themes
freedom
literature
politics
creativity
Mood
defiant
reflective
Type
critical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- journalism
- fiction writing
- political commentary
- academic essays
Key Concepts
authoritarianism
artistic autonomy
censorship
Questions to Reflect On
- How does censorship shape your work?
- What responsibilities do writers have to society?
A Different Perspective
Even in free societies, market pressures can subtly enforce conformity.
![“I went to a mosque in Philadelphia with [my wife] in December 24, 1999. And we we went to this mosque in Philly, and I just had such a strong reaction to the prayer. And I was really emotionally - I felt really grounded at that time. And so to be in this prayer and the imam is doing the prayer in…” quote by Mahershala Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d31/mahershala-ali-6687_attention_i-went-to-a-mosque-in-philadelphia-with_3083.jpg)
