---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Literary criticism is generally bunk…"
description: "\"Literary criticism is generally bunk. Nonsense. Usually based on self-serving post-intellectual bullshit.\" — John Fante"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95b/john-fante-6848_bullshit_literary-criticism-is-generally-bunk-non_2682814.jpg"
---

#  Literary criticism is generally bunk. Nonsense. Usually…

![“Literary criticism is generally bunk. Nonsense. Usually based on self-serving post-intellectual bullshit.” quote by John Fante](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95b/john-fante-6848_bullshit_literary-criticism-is-generally-bunk-non_2682814.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95b/john-fante-6848_bullshit_literary-criticism-is-generally-bunk-non_2682814.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95b/john-fante-6848_bullshit_literary-criticism-is-generally-bunk-non_2682814.jpg)

> “Literary criticism is generally bunk. Nonsense. Usually based on self-serving post-intellectual bullshit.”

[John Fante](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fante/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Literary criticism often serves self‑interest rather than genuine insight.

**In simple terms:** Criticism can be self‑serving nonsense.

Key Takeaway

Seek authentic literary discussion.

Themes

literature criticism ego

Mood

skeptical thoughtful

Type

analytical philosophical

When to use this quote

- book clubs
- academic circles
- writing workshops

Key Concepts

subjectivity intellectual honesty

Questions to Reflect On

- How to discern valuable critique?
- When is criticism constructive?

A Different Perspective

Not all criticism is bad.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Bullshit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bullshit/) [Criticism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/criticism/) [Intellectual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intellectual/) [Literary criticism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/literary-criticism/) [Nonsense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nonsense/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/)

## Related quotes

> [“I don’t believe in classes where students criticize each other’s manuscripts. Such criticism is generally composed in equal parts of ignorance, flattery, and spite.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flannery-o-connor/i-don-t-believe-in-classes-where-students-criticize-each-other-s/)

[Flannery O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flannery-o-connor/)

> [Constructive criticism is generally good for self improvement and indirectly helps you to become a more fruitful and stable person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senora-roy/constructive-criticism-is-generally-good-for-self-improvement-and/)

[Senora Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senora-roy/)

> [“So, this is how it started: as a secret, a challenge, a fire escape they used to dodge the hulking mass of their mother,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chloe-benjamin/so-this-is-how-it-started-as-a-secret-a-challenge-a-fire-escape-they/)

[Chloe Benjamin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chloe-benjamin/)

> [I was never a bright student, potentially never good at dramatics; I was sometimes given one-line roles that I was happy to do so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ranbir-kapoor/i-was-never-a-bright-student-potentially-never-good-at-dramatics-i/)

[Ranbir Kapoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ranbir-kapoor/)

> [Before we make love my husband takes a pain killer. I blame my mother for my poor sex life. All she told me was,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-rivers/before-we-make-love-my-husband-takes-a-pain-killer-i-blame-my-mother/)

[Joan Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-rivers/)

> [“Henry Ford is quoted as saying. "History is more or less bunk." Now, if he never spoke those words, doesn't that just prove he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-bosworth/henry-ford-is-quoted-as-saying-history-is-more-or-less-bunk-now-if-he/)

Alex Bosworth

> [She found out that having something to do prevented you from feeling seasick, and that even a job like scrubbing a deck could be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-pullman/she-found-out-that-having-something-to-do-prevented-you-from-feeling/)

[Philip Pullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-pullman/)

> [Americans' lack of passion for history is well known. History may not quite be bunk, as Henry Ford suggested, but there's no denying that,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-mcmurtry/americans-lack-of-passion-for-history-is-well-known-history-may-not/)

[Larry McMurtry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-mcmurtry/)

> [It is true that I do not wear shoes as the host of 'Bunk.' I want 'Bunk' to feel like there's a slight possibility…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-braunohler/it-is-true-that-i-do-not-wear-shoes-as-the-host-of-bunk-i-want-bunk/)

[Kurt Braunohler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-braunohler/)

> [Proficiency in art is a contract with your self and the empowerment of your self. Not all of us demand or even desire proficiency,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-gauguin/proficiency-in-art-is-a-contract-with-your-self-and-the-empowerment/)

[Paul Gauguin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-gauguin/)

> [Take Milton Friedman, he sits at his desk pontificating about such bunk as the monetary system being the answer to our problems. The monetary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-o-kelso/take-milton-friedman-he-sits-at-his-desk-pontificating-about-such/)

[Louis O. Kelso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-o-kelso/)

> [“She was petrified now but I simply slung her over my shoulder and made for my bunk. My 2IC who had caught the whole…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-w-murison/she-was-petrified-now-but-i-simply-slung-her-over-my-shoulder-and/)

J.W. Murison

> [Being in Loyola College exposed me to other options and gave me confidence, apart from the freedom to bunk classes. I became a merchandiser…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suriya/being-in-loyola-college-exposed-me-to-other-options-and-gave-me/)

[Suriya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suriya/)

> [“I sit on my narrow bunk and caress my long yellow toenails and stare at my walls.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rene-denfeld/i-sit-on-my-narrow-bunk-and-caress-my-long-yellow-toenails-and-stare/)

[Rene Denfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rene-denfeld/)

> [I'm okay with roaming around the world in my bunk for days on end. Maybe every third day I'll get a shower or stumble…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/i-m-okay-with-roaming-around-the-world-in-my-bunk-for-days-on-end/)

[Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/)

## More by John Fante

> [“    Breakfast was ready. He could hear his father asking for coffee. Why did his father have to yell all the time? Couldn't he talk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fante/breakfast-was-ready-he-could-hear-his-father-asking-for-coffee-why/)

[John Fante](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fante/)

> [“Jesus, these Protestants! In my church we didn't sing cheap hymns. With us it was Handel and Palestrina.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fante/jesus-these-protestants-in-my-church-we-didn-t-sing-cheap-hymns-with/)

[John Fante](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fante/)

> [If there is work there is warmth, that when a man has freedom of movement it is enough, for then his blood is hot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fante/if-there-is-work-there-is-warmth-that-when-a-man-has-freedom-of/)

[John Fante](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fante/)

> [“I have seen them stagger out of their movie palaces and blink their empty eyes in the face of reality once more, and stagger…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fante/i-have-seen-them-stagger-out-of-their-movie-palaces-and-blink-their/)

[John Fante](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fante/)

> [“My advice to all young writers is quite simple. I would caution them never to evade a new experience. I would urge them to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fante/my-advice-to-all-young-writers-is-quite-simple-i-would-caution-them/)

[John Fante](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fante/)

> [“Then it happened. One night as the rain beat on the slanted kitchen roof a great spirit slipped forever into my life. I held…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fante/then-it-happened-one-night-as-the-rain-beat-on-the-slanted-kitchen/)

[John Fante](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fante/)

> [Well, this is good for me, this is experience, I am here for a reason, these moments run into pages, the seamy side of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fante/well-this-is-good-for-me-this-is-experience-i-am-here-for-a-reason/)

[John Fante](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fante/)

> [“She was a hunchback with a sweet smile. She smiled sweetly at anything; she couldn't help it; the trees, me, the grass, anything. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fante/she-was-a-hunchback-with-a-sweet-smile-she-smiled-sweetly-at-anything/)

[John Fante](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fante/)

> [I tossed my shoulders and swaggered away, whistling with pleasure. In the gutter I saw a long cigaret butt. I picked it up without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fante/i-tossed-my-shoulders-and-swaggered-away-whistling-with-pleasure-in/)

[John Fante](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fante/)

> [“Careful, Arturo Bandini: don't strain your eyesight, remember what happened to Tarkington, remember what happened to James Joyce.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fante/careful-arturo-bandini-don-t-strain-your-eyesight-remember-what/)

[John Fante](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fante/)

> [“Nor did he give a damn for the world either, or the universe, or heaven or hell. But he liked women.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fante/nor-did-he-give-a-damn-for-the-world-either-or-the-universe-or-heaven/)

[John Fante](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fante/)

> [The bible is a source of great inspiration to me. It is a textbook of metaphysics. Within the bible are keys to personal growth,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fante/the-bible-is-a-source-of-great-inspiration-to-me-it-is-a-textbook-of/)

[John Fante](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fante/)

> [One night I was sitting on the bed in my hotel room on Buker Hill, down in the middle of Los Angeles. It was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fante/one-night-i-was-sitting-on-the-bed-in-my-hotel-room-on-buker-hill/)

[John Fante](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fante/)

> [“All that was good in me thrilled in my heart at that moment, all that I hoped for in the profound, obscure meaning of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fante/all-that-was-good-in-me-thrilled-in-my-heart-at-that-moment-all-that/)

[John Fante](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fante/)

> [(...) I let go, crying and unable to stop because God was such a dirty crook, contemptible skunk, that's what he was for doing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fante/i-let-go-crying-and-unable-to-stop-because-god-was-such-a-dirty-crook/)

[John Fante](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fante/)

[Explore all 80 John Fante quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fante/)

## More Bullshit quotes

> [I rap when I'm rich. I rap when I'm broke. I rap when I'm bullshit in the street. I rap about only having one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/killer-mike/i-rap-when-i-m-rich-i-rap-when-i-m-broke-i-rap-when-i-m-bullshit-in/)

[Killer Mike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/killer-mike/)

> [Yesterday's truth is today's bullshit. Even yesterday's liberating insight is today's jail of stale explanation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-blanton/yesterday-s-truth-is-today-s-bullshit-even-yesterday-s-liberating/)

[Brad Blanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-blanton/)

> [The one thing I absolutely hate about social media are the people who abuse it. Whenever I see a person who constantly posts negative…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jazmin-garcia/the-one-thing-i-absolutely-hate-about-social-media-are-the-people-who/)

[Jazmin Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jazmin-garcia/)

> [My biggest advice would be to take the pictures you want to take. Don’t think about the marketplace, what sells or what an editor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lachapelle/my-biggest-advice-would-be-to-take-the-pictures-you-want-to-take-don/)

[David LaChapelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lachapelle/)

> [We're at a time when we are being presented with undeniable changes in the global climate and fundamental issues that affect every single one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thom-yorke/we-re-at-a-time-when-we-are-being-presented-with-undeniable-changes/)

[Thom Yorke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thom-yorke/)

> [“Someday you’re gonna go stupid for a woman. And when you do, do me this one favor: don’t get all caught up in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-halpern/someday-you-re-gonna-go-stupid-for-a-woman-and-when-you-do-do-me-this/)

[Justin Halpern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-halpern/)

> [How can I set free anyone who doesn't have the guts to stand up alone and declare his own freedom? I think it's a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-morrison/how-can-i-set-free-anyone-who-doesn-t-have-the-guts-to-stand-up-alone/)

[Jim Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-morrison/)

> [“Please, boy. Let’s not start out with either of us insulting the other’s intelligence. There are only three people in life you can never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-lynch/please-boy-let-s-not-start-out-with-either-of-us-insulting-the-other/)

[Scott Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-lynch/)

> [The idea of photography as evidence is pure bullshit. A photo is no more proof of any reality than what you may hear being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-riboud/the-idea-of-photography-as-evidence-is-pure-bullshit-a-photo-is-no/)

[Marc Riboud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-riboud/)

> [“(‘T) is all that separates I CAN’T from I CAN. Cut away the bullshit and live your life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cody-edward-lee-miller/t-is-all-that-separates-i-can-t-from-i-can-cut-away-the-bullshit-and/)

[Cody Edward Lee Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cody-edward-lee-miller/)

> [I wouldn't mind gigging around the same era as Jesus, after he gives his speech about the meek and how blessed they are and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-jefferies/i-wouldn-t-mind-gigging-around-the-same-era-as-jesus-after-he-gives/)

[Jim Jefferies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-jefferies/)

> [Alright, thats enough of this Kung-Fu bullshit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcclane/alright-thats-enough-of-this-kung-fu-bullshit/)

[John Mcclane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcclane/)

> [“To recognize bullshit, nose is better than ear.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toba-beta/to-recognize-bullshit-nose-is-better-than-ear/)

[Toba Beta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toba-beta/)

> [Loyal people always seem to go through the most bullshit!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/loyal-people-always-seem-to-go-through-the-most-bullshit/)

[Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/)

> [“I wasn't sure which was worse - to know you were a liar or to believe your own bullshit.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eileen-cook/i-wasn-t-sure-which-was-worse-to-know-you-were-a-liar-or-to-believe/)

[Eileen Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eileen-cook/)

[Browse all 1,074 Bullshit quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bullshit/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Literary criticism is generally bunk. Nonsense. Usually based on self-serving post-intellectual bullshit.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "John Fante"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fante/literary-criticism-is-generally-bunk-nonsense-usually-based-on-self/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Bullshit"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fante/literary-criticism-is-generally-bunk-nonsense-usually-based-on-self/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95b/john-fante-6848_bullshit_literary-criticism-is-generally-bunk-non_2682814.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95b/john-fante-6848_bullshit_literary-criticism-is-generally-bunk-non_2682814.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95b/john-fante-6848_bullshit_literary-criticism-is-generally-bunk-non_2682814.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Literary criticism is generally bunk. Nonsense. Usually based on self-serving post-intellectual bullshit.” — John Fante",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "John Fante",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fante/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Literary criticism is generally bunk. Nonsense....",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fante/literary-criticism-is-generally-bunk-nonsense-usually-based-on-self/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fante/literary-criticism-is-generally-bunk-nonsense-usually-based-on-self/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
