Books Quote by Edward Abbey
““The novel should tell the truth, as I see the truth, or as the novelist persuades me to see it. And one more demand: I expect the novelist to aspire to improve the world. ... As a novelist, I want to be more than one more dog barking at the other dogs barking at me. Not out of any foolish hope that one novelist, or all virtuous novelists in chorus, can make much of a difference for good, except in the long run, but out of the need to prevent the human world from relaxing into something worse. To maintain the tension between truth and falsity, beauty and ugliness, good and evil. ... I believe the highest duty of the serious novelist is, whatever the means or technique, to be a critic of his society, to hold society to its own ideals, or if these ideals are unworthy, to suggest better ideals.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Fool's Progress by Edward Abbey, 1988
A novelist should reveal truth, strive to improve society, and critique its flaws, balancing beauty and ugliness, good and evil.
In simple terms: Novelists must expose truth and aim to better the world.
Key Takeaway
Write truthfully and challenge societal norms.
Themes
truth
social critique
artistic responsibility
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- political satire
- social commentary
- educational literature
- activist writing
Key Concepts
ethics
beauty
morality
literary purpose
Questions to Reflect On
- Can fiction inspire real change?
- What responsibilities do writers have to their readers?
A Different Perspective
It may be idealistic to expect literature alone to change society.
![“[A writer] must try to think clearly, to feel deeply, to write honestly. If he is fortunate he will make a living, but his work will never be anymore essentially clear and deep and honest than he himself is, and he will be judged finally not for how many copies his books have sold, but for what…” quote by Lawrence Clark Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c72/lawrence-clark-powell-27650_book_a-writer-must-try-to-think-clearly-to-fe_1486016.jpg)
