Books Quote by Helen DeWitt
““There are people who think contraception is immoral because the object of copulation is procreation. In a similar way there are people who think the only reason to read a book is to write a book; people should call up books from the dust and the dark and write thousands of words to be sent down to the dust and the dark which can be called up so that other people can send further thousands of words to join them in the dust and the dark. Sometimes a book can be called from the dust and the dark to produce a book which can be bought in shops, and perhaps it is interesting, but the people who buy it and read it because it is interesting are not serious people, if they were serious they would not care about the interest they would be writing thousands of words to consign to the dust and the dark. There are people who think death a fate worse than boredom.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Role of Reading, 2000s, Literary Journal
Some view reading as a means to produce more writing, dismissing enjoyment; true engagement with texts.
In simple terms: Reading for pleasure is undervalued.
Key Takeaway
Read for joy, not just utility.
Themes
literature
purpose
creativity
Mood
thoughtful
philosophical
Type
critical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- academic study
- personal growth
- creative writing
Key Concepts
writing
intellectualism
existentialism
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we sometimes equate seriousness with productivity?
- Can pleasure and purpose coexist in reading?
A Different Perspective
Reading can be both enjoyable and a catalyst for creation.
