Books Quote by Jeffrey Eugenides
““She wasn't all that interested, as a reader, in the reader. She was still partial to that increasingly eclipsed entity: the writer. Madeleine had a feeling that most semiotic theorists had been unpopular as children, often bullied or overlooked, and so had directed their lingering rage onto literature. They wanted to demote the author. They wanted a book, that hard-won, transcendent thing, to be a text, contingent, indeterminate, and open for suggestions. They wanted the reader to be the main thing. Because they were readers. Whereas Madeleine was perfectly happy with the idea of genius. She wanted a book to take her places she couldn't get to herself. She thought a writer should work harder writing a book than she did reading it.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides, 2011
The passage critiques contemporary literary theory that devalues the author, arguing for the enduring importance of authorial genius and the transformative power of books.
In simple terms: Authorial genius remains vital.
Key Takeaway
Value the writer’s craft and its impact.
Themes
literature
authorship
reader-writer dynamic
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- book clubs
- creative writing workshops
- literary criticism
Key Concepts
poststructuralism
authorial intent
Questions to Reflect On
- Should we balance author and reader perspectives?
- What role does authorial intent play in interpretation?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on reader can diminish artistic intent.
