American literature Quote by H. L. Mencken
“Every reader of the Dreiser novels must cherish astounding specimens--of awkward, platitudinous marginalia, of whole scenes spoiled by bad writing, of phrases as brackish as so many lumps of sodium hyposulphite.”
About This Quote
Critique highlights how poor editorial choices can diminish literary value, emphasizing the importance of careful curation.
In simple terms: Bad editing harms a work.
Key Takeaway
Value thorough editing and thoughtful marginalia.
Themes
literature
critique
editing
Mood
analytical
skeptical
Type
critical
observational
When to use this quote
- publishing
- academic study
- reading groups
- writing workshops
Key Concepts
quality
attention to detail
interpretation
Questions to Reflect On
- What standards should guide editorial decisions?
- How does marginalia affect reader experience?
A Different Perspective
Not all criticism is constructive; personal bias may color judgments.
![“By profession a biologist, [Thomas Henry Huxley] covered in fact the whole field of the exact sciences, and then bulged through its four fences. Absolutely nothing was uninteresting to him. His curiosity ranged from music to theology and from philosophy to history. He didn't simply know something…” quote by H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f46/h-l-mencken-245_absolutely-nothing_by-profession-a-biologist-thomas-henry-h_5368.jpg)
