Books Quote by G.K. Chesterton
““Whatever the word "great" means, Dickens was what it means. Even the fastidious and unhappy who cannot read his books without a continuous critical exasperation, would use the word of him without stopping to think. They feel that Dickens is a great writer even if he is not a good writer.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: "Charles Dickens" in The Outline of Sanity, 1922
Chesterton argues that Dickens is labeled "great" by readers regardless of literary merit, driven by emotional attachment rather than critical assessment.
In simple terms: People call Dickens great because they love his stories, not because he is technically superior.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the gap between popularity and quality.
Themes
literature
reputation
subjectivity
Mood
nostalgic
critical
reflective
Type
literary
analytical
observational
When to use this quote
- book clubs
- school curricula
- personal reading choices
- literary criticism
Key Concepts
canon formation
emotional bias
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you judge works by emotion or skill?
- How does fame affect your perception of quality?
A Different Perspective
Popularity can mask technical flaws in writing.
