Not a moment passes these days without fresh rushes of…
“Not a moment passes these days without fresh rushes of academic lemmings off the cliffs they proclaim the political responsibilities of the critic, but eventually all this moralizing will subside.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Western Canon” (1994)
He critiques contemporary critics who obsess over moral duties, suggesting their moralizing will eventually fade.
In simple terms: Critics focus too much on moral duties, which will fade.
Key Takeaway
Question the lasting impact of moralizing.
Themes
criticism
morality
intellectual trends
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
academic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- academic debates
- public intellectual discourse
- media commentary
- political analysis
Key Concepts
literary theory
cultural criticism
academic discourse
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives the moral urgency in criticism?
- Can criticism be both moral and lasting?
A Different Perspective
Might generalize all critics.