Books Quote by Henry Seidel Canby
““There must always be a fringe of the experimental in literature--poems bizarre in form and curious in content, stories that overreach for what has not hitherto been put in story form, criticism that mingles a search for new truth with bravado. We should neither scoff at this trial margin nor take it too seriously. Without it, literature becomes inert and complacent. But the everyday person's reading is not, ought not to be, in the margin. He asks for a less experimental diet, and his choice is sound. If authors and publishers would give him more heed they would do wisely. They are afraid of the swarming populace who clamor for vulgar sensation (and will pay only what it is worth), and they are afraid of petulant literati who insist upon sophisticated sensation (and desire complimentary copies). The stout middle class, as in politics and industry, has far less influence than its good sense and its good taste and its ready purse deserve.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Future of Literature, 1930s
The experimental fringe keeps literature dynamic, but most readers prefer accessible works; balance is needed between innovation and mainstream appeal.
In simple terms: Experiment fuels growth; most readers want clarity.
Key Takeaway
Encourage diverse publishing, respecting both avant‑garde and popular tastes.
Themes
literature
balance
innovation
reader expectations
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
critical
reflective
When to use this quote
- publishing decisions
- authorial choices
- library acquisitions
- educational curricula
- literary criticism
Key Concepts
aesthetic risk
market forces
cultural taste
Questions to Reflect On
- How can publishers support experimental writers without alienating mass readers?
- What responsibilities do authors have to challenge readers?
A Different Perspective
Risk of marginalizing groundbreaking work if mainstream dominates.
