---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The function of the novelist... is to…"
description: "\"The function of the novelist... is to comment upon life as he sees it.\" — Frank Norris"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/214/frank-norris-28716_comment_the-function-of-the-novelist-is-to-comme_2703691.jpg"
---

#  The function of the novelist... is to comment upon life as…

![“The function of the novelist... is to comment upon life as he sees it.” quote by Frank Norris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/214/frank-norris-28716_comment_the-function-of-the-novelist-is-to-comme_2703691.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/214/frank-norris-28716_comment_the-function-of-the-novelist-is-to-comme_2703691.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/214/frank-norris-28716_comment_the-function-of-the-novelist-is-to-comme_2703691.jpg)

> “The function of the novelist... is to comment upon life as he sees it.”

[Frank Norris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-norris/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The novelist’s role is to observe and comment on life as he perceives it, offering insight into society.

**In simple terms:** Novelists comment on life as they see it.

Key Takeaway

Write with honest observation of society.

Themes

literature observation social commentary

Mood

thoughtful critical

Type

literary social

When to use this quote

- creative writing courses
- social analysis
- journalism

Key Concepts

realism authorial voice cultural critique

Questions to Reflect On

- What responsibilities do writers have to society?
- How does personal bias shape commentary?

A Different Perspective

It may ignore the novelist’s imaginative freedom.

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[Comment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comment/) [Comment Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comment-life-1039741/) [Function](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/function/) [Function Novelist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/function-novelist-2277744/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life Sees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-sees-1218177/) [Novelist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/novelist/) [Novelist Comment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/novelist-comment-2752570/) [Novelists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/novelists/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/)

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